Cuban Social Issues: Rising Vulnerability and Health Crises Amid Economic Strain

Cuba's Ministry of Public Health, MINSAP, reported five new deaths due to arbovirosis, bringing the total fatalities to 52 since the onset of the outbreak. The deaths include 34 attributed to chikungunya and 18 to dengue.

During a recent update, Viceminister Carilda Pena Garcia highlighted that most deceased patients were minors under the age of 18, with 19 of the 36 patients currently in intensive care also being in this age group.

The report noted a total of 47,003 cases of chikungunya, with 1,652 confirmed by PCR and 45,351 suspected based on clinical assessment. On the latest reporting day, 539 new cases were identified, including 22 laboratory confirmations.

While the transmission of these viruses persists across all 15 provinces, authorities indicated a slight decrease in suspected dengue cases, although they acknowledged the ongoing complexity of the epidemiological situation.

Pena Garcia stated that the government does not anticipate reaching zero cases in the near future and reiterated that the official numbers likely underrepresent the actual infection rates, as many individuals do not seek medical care.

The outbreak has been exacerbated by Cuba's severe economic crisis, which hampers preventive measures like mass fumigation and access to medical supplies and medications.