HAVANA – Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced Friday that government efforts to curb a critically importent outbreak of arboviral diseases – including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika – are showing early signs of success, though challenges remain. The island nation has struggled with the mosquito-borne illnesses throughout 2023, exacerbated by a complex economic situation limiting access to preventative measures like insecticide and mosquito netting, and a strained healthcare system. While recent data indicates a downward trend in diagnoses, health officials caution that much of Cuba remains at risk, and a ample number of patients are reporting debilitating long-term symptoms.
Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez announced on Friday via the social media platform X that Cuba’s government efforts to combat a widespread outbreak of arboviral diseases appear to be yielding positive results.
“In a meeting of experts and scientists, mathematical models were presented indicating containment of the arbovirus epidemic in the country. The measures are proving effective, and we will not let our guard down. We will continue with the work system we have implemented,” the president wrote.
The post sparked criticism, including one response from a user who wrote: “Experts and scientists need to create a model that tells us how much longer we will have to endure this life you have imposed on Cubans. How long will this hardship last? I need that scientific-mathematical model, or a fortune teller, or Nostradamus.”
Díaz-Canel’s message followed a December 24 meeting with health system scientists and experts at the Palace of the Revolution, where he was informed that cases of dengue and chikungunya are showing a downward trend.
Experts at the Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) report that Cuba has experienced eight consecutive weeks of declining arboviral diagnoses. However, most provinces, with the exception of Matanzas, Granma, and the Isle of Youth, remain within the endemic corridor for epidemic activity.
Mathematician Raúl Guinovart Díaz stated that forecasting models “point to an improving trend” and estimated that the situation could be under control between January and February, provided environmental conditions remain stable.
Despite the optimism, data presented at the meeting confirmed that more than 2,800 cases of chikungunya persist in 134 municipalities, with incidence rates above the national average in provinces such as Guantánamo, Las Tunas, Santiago de Cuba, Pinar del Río, and Artemisa. Arboviral diseases, transmitted by mosquitoes, pose a significant public health challenge globally, and effective control measures are crucial.
Meanwhile, many Cubans continue to experience long-term effects from the viruses, including chronic joint pain, fatigue, and other persistent symptoms.
Health authorities acknowledged that in Matanzas, over 60% of patients are seeking rehabilitation treatments or traditional medicine three months after infection.
