Cuba's Health Crisis: New Initiatives Against Arboviruses Amid Dengue Outbreak

Cuba is currently grappling with a significant health crisis, with over thirty percent of its population reported to be affected by dengue and chikungunya. In response, the government has announced new initiatives aimed at combating these arboviral diseases, primarily through the production of natural mosquito repellents derived from cane.

According to a report from CubaNet, the pharmaceutical company Medilip, in collaboration with the Pharmacy and Optics Company in Granma province, is set to produce these repellents. These products will be made from two key ingredients: neem tincture and cane, designed to be applied directly to the skin.

The official press has emphasized that the repellents will be one hundred percent natural, with safety instructions advising against use for children under three years old. The price for a liter of this repellent is estimated to be two hundred Cuban pesos, with smaller quantities available at forty pesos.

The national director of Epidemiology from the Ministry of Public Health, Francisco Duran Garcia, confirmed the alarming statistics, noting that the situation is acute, with dengue transmission reported in fourteen provinces, particularly in Havana, Matanzas, and Ciego de Avila.

While Duran mentioned a trend towards a decrease in cases, he also acknowledged the widespread circulation of both dengue and chikungunya across the nation. Notably, the vast majority of chikungunya cases are concentrated in Matanzas, Havana, Camagüey, Cienfuegos, Artemisa, and Villa Clara.

This context highlights the ongoing public health challenges facing Cuba and the critical need for effective vector control strategies as the country navigates this crisis.