A recent video on Instagram has sparked outrage, showing rats scurrying through the corridors of the Enrique Cabrera National Hospital in Havana, highlighting a dire public health issue.
Shared by Lisbet Lago López, the video begins with a sarcastic remark that says it all: "Welcome to a day of combat readiness against the hantavirus."
"As you know, hantavirus is spread by rats, so we're offering a revolutionary idea here with live antibodies. You know, Cubans are always a step ahead. When the virus arrives, we'll already be immune," she stated with irony.
The footage captures a rodent freely roaming the hospital hallway, while the creator humorously names it "Stuart" and mentions "his family," implying that the rat infestation is a common issue at the facility.
"If you ask me about the hospital, I'd say it's spectacular. Here you have Cuban wildlife in 4K. It's an all-in-one experience—an urban safari and a nightly dance," Lisbet quips in the video, using revolutionary propaganda language to highlight the facility's decay.
Health Crisis Amid Hantavirus Alert
The complaint is especially grave given the recent context: just days earlier, the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) had issued an epidemiological alert for hantavirus, linked to an international outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, resulting in three deaths and nine confirmed cases.
Deputy Minister Carilda Peña García stated that Cuba has strengthened controls at ports, airports, and marinas to detect rodent signs, as hantavirus primarily spreads through inhaling particles contaminated with urine, feces, or saliva from infected rats.
A Recurring Issue
The irony is stark: while the regime warns about the rodent threat at the borders, rats roam freely in one of its major hospitals.
This incident isn't isolated. Back in February 2025, rats were filmed at the León Cuervo Rubio Hospital in Pinar del Río; a year prior, a mouse was caught on camera in the maternity ward of Moa's hospital; and in 2018, rats were "running rampant" in the Camilo Cienfuegos Hospital in Sancti Spíritus.
This pattern underscores the structural collapse of a healthcare system that the Minister of Public Health, José Ángel Portal Miranda, described in February as "on the brink of collapse," with power outages lasting up to 20 hours a day, ambulances without fuel, and 385 health facilities reporting damage.
Enduring Challenges for Healthcare Workers
The Enrique Cabrera Hospital, located in the Boyeros municipality south of Havana, has faced other recent complaints: in April, a young mother sparked a wave of criticism over the care she received.
The current video concludes with a note that contrasts the rest of its sarcastic tone: "A round of applause for all those white-coated heroes working under these conditions, trying every day to give us a bit of life."
This statement poignantly captures the tragedy of Cuba's healthcare system: doctors and nurses striving daily while the regime, which showcases them as an international example, leaves them to work among rats.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rats in Cuban Hospitals
What is the hantavirus and how is it spread?
Hantavirus is a virus primarily spread by rodents, especially through inhalation of particles from contaminated urine, feces, or saliva.
What measures has Cuba taken against hantavirus?
Cuba has reinforced controls in ports, airports, and marinas to detect signs of rodents, as part of their preventive measures against hantavirus.
Have there been other rodent infestations in Cuban hospitals?
Yes, similar incidents have been reported in other hospitals such as the León Cuervo Rubio Hospital in Pinar del Río and the Camilo Cienfuegos Hospital in Sancti Spíritus.