This past Friday, Matanzas reported its initial two dengue cases of the 2026 season, identified in the southern part of the region, as announced by the province's leading health officials during their weekly epidemiological update.
The onset of dengue was anticipated with the advent of warm weather and rainfall, which create ideal conditions for the breeding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Health authorities cautioned that, in addition to the two confirmed cases, there remains "a significant number of suspected cases under close surveillance."
Hepatitis Concerns Persist
Meanwhile, six municipalities—Matanzas, Cárdenas, Jovellanos, Pedro Betancourt, Ciénaga de Zapata, and Jagüey Grande—are on high alert for hepatitis, although officials report a "consistent decline" in case numbers.
An added challenge in managing the hepatitis outbreak is the misdiagnosis in some instances, where symptoms were mistaken for those of stomach illnesses caused by enteroviruses. These are characterized by "episodes of diarrhea and vomiting that resolve within 24 hours, accompanied by a mild fever reaching 100 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit."
To clarify diagnostic uncertainties, samples have been sent to the Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute.
Historical Context and Current Measures
The hepatitis A outbreak in Matanzas has been a source of tension for several months. On June 4, the province recorded seven new positive cases and 49 suspected cases within a single week, with the capital municipality accounting for approximately 40% of the annual provincial tally.
Back in April, a health alert was declared with 18 active cases in the Versalles neighborhood and seven in La Marina, Cárdenas. In May, the Deputy Minister of Public Health, Julio Guerra, refuted claims of a hepatitis A epidemic in Cuba, although he acknowledged a "very complex" situation.
Regional Challenges and Health Infrastructure
The regional context exacerbates concern, as Matanzas was one of the country's most serious hotspots in 2025. The government had to deploy doctors and nurses to the province due to the surge in dengue, chikungunya, and oropouche cases.
Cuba ended that year with at least 81,909 individuals infected and 65 fatalities from combined dengue and chikungunya cases, as reported by the Pan American Health Organization, with the epidemic officially acknowledged on November 12, 2025.
In regard to maternal and infant healthcare, the infant mortality rate in Matanzas stands at seven per 1,000 live births, showing a downward trend. Additionally, a new miscellaneous ward was inaugurated at the Eliseo Noel Caamaño Provincial Pediatric Hospital to accommodate over 50 infants under one year old.
For mobile emergency services, intermunicipal patient transfers decreased by 52 compared to the previous month, and ambulance response times improved to 18 minutes, marking the best performance nationwide.
Nonetheless, authorities warned that "the situation remains critical" due to fuel shortages and emphasized the need for each territory to develop its own reserves rather than relying on the provincial distribution system.
Key Health Concerns in Matanzas
What are the main health issues currently facing Matanzas?
Matanzas is dealing with the emergence of dengue cases and is on alert for hepatitis, amidst a decline in reported cases. Fuel shortages also present a challenge to healthcare delivery.
How is the dengue situation expected to develop in Matanzas?
With the arrival of warmer weather and rain, conditions are favorable for Aedes aegypti mosquito proliferation, likely leading to more dengue cases if not controlled.
What measures are being implemented to address health resource challenges?
Authorities are urging the establishment of local fuel reserves to ensure healthcare delivery remains unaffected by provincial distribution issues.