Cuba reports rise in infectious diseases amid sanitation and fuel crises

Cuba is experiencing a surge in various infectious diseases, including acute respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, hepatitis, and arboviral infections such as dengue and chikungunya. Deputy Minister of Public Health Carilda Peña García has linked the rise in diarrheal and hepatitis cases to deficiencies in environmental sanitation, water treatment, and waste collection.

Arboviral transmission is a major concern due to the seasonal increase in mosquito populations. High temperatures, rainfall, and humidity are facilitating the spread of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The situation is exacerbated by water management challenges, as families are often forced to store water in containers that can become breeding grounds.

Efforts to control mosquito populations are being hindered by resource shortages. Fuel and energy constraints have limited fumigation activities in several areas; for instance, fumigation has halted in Santiago de Cuba due to a lack of diesel and gasoline. To assist, the Pan American Health Organization has provided 50 fumigation units to Holguín.