On Wednesday, Cuban health authorities announced a "slight decrease" in the number of dengue and oropouche cases. However, both diseases continue to significantly impact the population, particularly in the eastern regions of the island. Francisco Durán, Director of Hygiene and Epidemiology at the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap), conveyed through state television that these diseases, primarily spread by mosquitoes and sandflies, remain a major public health issue despite the reduction in cases.
Detailed current infection statistics were not disclosed by Durán. As of last October, Minsap reported over 17,000 suspected dengue cases for the year, many requiring intensive care hospitalization. In September, there were 12,000 suspected cases of oropouche, a disease first identified in Cuba in May, now widespread throughout the country. This spread is partly attributed to the poor vector control and sanitary conditions on the island.
Efforts to Control the Spread
Durán highlighted the lack of fuel as a barrier to conducting effective fumigation campaigns and urged the Cuban population to maintain environmental sanitation and eliminate mosquito breeding sites. However, he acknowledged that structural challenges, like public water leaks, continue to hinder efforts to curb these diseases.
Dengue, endemic in Cuba, currently affects 14 of the nation's 15 provinces and is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. According to the Pan American Health Organization, Cuba reported over 3,000 confirmed dengue cases in both 2019 and 2022.
Understanding Oropouche
On the other hand, oropouche, also known as "sloth fever," is spread by insects such as the Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito and the Culicoides paraensis sandfly. Its symptoms, which resemble those of dengue, include fever, muscle and joint pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
While some progress has been made, the persistent structural and resource challenges highlight the ongoing struggle against these vector-borne diseases in Cuba. The government's response to these public health threats is critically limited by the country's broader infrastructural and economic constraints.