The Cuban Embassy in Russia has firmly denied swirling rumors about an alleged outbreak of a deadly virus and attacks by "killer flies" targeting tourists on the island. In an official statement, Cristina León, the tourism affairs counselor at the Cuban diplomatic mission, emphasized that the nation's epidemiological situation is stable and no such incidents have been recorded, reported RATA-News.
"There is no outbreak of deadly virus-induced diseases or attacks by killer flies in Cuba. The current epidemiological status remains stable," stated León. "In recent weeks, there has been no increase in medical attention requests for fever in any region of the country. Among the local disease vectors, there is no aggressive fly capable of transmitting deadly diseases through its bite," she added.
This clarification comes after various platforms circulated misleading information linking Cuba to Marburg fever, a severe and highly contagious disease caused by the virus of the same name. According to the embassy, this virus was first identified in 1967 and has caused outbreaks in African countries such as Angola, Ghana, and Tanzania, but never in Cuba.
The most recent known outbreak occurred in Rwanda in September 2024 and was contained by October, as per the World Health Organization (WHO), which states that the risk of global spread is low. The embassy boasted that Cuba has a robust international medical control program covering 100% of its borders, with mechanisms to promptly detect potential imported diseases, ranging from primary healthcare to the tourism sector.
Moreover, the internationally renowned Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine ensures a high level of diagnosis and treatment within the country. The statement also refuted claims that the United Kingdom’s Foreign Affairs Ministry had issued travel warnings against visiting Cuba due to a Marburg fever outbreak. The latest update on the British official website, dated October 4, makes no mention of Cuba.
Debunking the "Killer Flies" Myth
Regarding the so-called "killer flies," the embassy reiterated that there is no evidence of their presence on the island and reminded that sandfly bites, common in the tropics, pose no threat to tourists. It added that these can be effectively treated with locally made repellents and products. This rebuttal, seemingly an urgent effort to protect Cuba's tarnished tourism image, aims to counteract misinformation that could alarm tourists and further damage one of the island's economic pillars.
Recently, several Russian tourists voiced their discomfort on social media about sandfly bites during their stay in Cuban hotels and beaches. According to the testimonies, these small insect bites are initially painless but later cause intense itching and red blisters on the skin. In some cases, symptoms do not subside with common antihistamines, raising concerns among visitors, reported RATA-News.
Despite the complaints, Cuba remains an attractive destination for Russians. From January to August 2024, the island welcomed over 133,000 tourists from Russia, marking a 125% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Russia ranks as the third-largest source of tourists to Cuba, following only Canada and Cuban expatriates.
Tourism Challenges Amid Industry Crisis
The Cuban Ministry of Tourism anticipates receiving over 200,000 Russian visitors by year-end, reaffirming interest in the island despite potential inconveniences. Alongside Russia, Portugal emerges as another tourist source market showing modest growth amid the chronic crisis plaguing Cuba’s tourism industry.
The island is grappling with one of its worst tourism downturns, characterized by a steep decline in international visitors from key markets such as North America, Spain, Germany, Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia. According to data from Travel And Tour World, from January to October 2024, tourist arrivals in Cuba plummeted by 48.23% compared to 2019, the last pre-pandemic year. This collapse has severely impacted sector revenues, which fell from $3.185 billion in 2019 to just $1.216 billion in 2023, a dramatic 61.82% decrease.
Cuban economist Pedro Monreal criticized recent statements by the Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, and the Cuban regime’s focus on prioritizing investments in the tourism sector.
Clarifications on Cuba's Health and Tourism Situation
Is there a deadly virus outbreak in Cuba?
No, there is no outbreak of a deadly virus in Cuba. The Cuban embassy has confirmed that the epidemiological situation in the country is stable.
Are "killer flies" attacking tourists in Cuba?
No, the rumors of "killer flies" attacking tourists are unfounded. The embassy has stated that there is no aggressive fly capable of spreading deadly diseases in Cuba.
Has the UK issued a travel warning for Cuba?
No, the UK has not issued any travel warnings related to Cuba and Marburg fever. The latest update on the UK's official site does not mention Cuba.
How is Cuba's tourism industry performing?
Cuba's tourism industry is facing a severe downturn, with a significant drop in international visitors and revenue compared to pre-pandemic levels.