Cuban Youths Face Risks in Military Service Amid Rising Fatalities

Cuban authorities reported that fatalities linked to arbovirosis have risen to 55, with 18 deaths attributed to dengue and the remainder to chikungunya, according to the Ministry of Public Health, MINSAP.

Deputy Minister Carilda Pena Garcia announced these figures during the television program Buenos Dias. The most affected demographic remains individuals under 18 years old. As of Thursday, the health system detected 2,188 cases of unspecified febrile syndrome in Cuba.

Pena Garcia noted that while the network for active surveillance has expanded, the number of symptomatic patients is decreasing, with most treated at home. Health authorities reported 372 new chikungunya cases in one day, bringing the total to 47,756 cases.

Currently, 43 patients are hospitalized in intermediate intensive care units, an increase of five from the previous day. The incidence rate for suspected dengue cases stands at 8.32, lower than the 12.51 reported during the same period last year.

In relation to the Oropouche virus, no cases have been diagnosed in the country, and clinical, epidemiological, and molecular surveillance continues. Pena Garcia also addressed concerns about the H3N2 influenza virus, confirming its circulation in Cuba while denying the presence of the clade K variant.

Authorities acknowledged that official infection figures likely underestimate the reality, as many ill patients do not seek medical care. The Cuban government first recognized the chikungunya and dengue epidemic on November 12, despite initial cases being diagnosed in July and a surge in infections noted in September and October.

The ongoing economic crisis in Cuba has hampered preventive measures, including mass fumigation and laboratory testing, as well as access to medications and medical supplies.