Although the epidemiological situation in Cuba still requires “sustained surveillance,” reports of febrile syndromes fell by more than six thousand cases in one week and the number of suspected cases also decreased. dengue and chikungunyaaccording to official data presented by health authorities.
During the last week, attention for non-specific febrile syndromes decreased from 16,214 to 9,960 cases, which represents 6,254 fewer reports throughout the country, reported the Vice Minister of Public Health, Carilda Peña García, in a meeting of experts convened by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, according to a review Latin Press.
The official specified that the reduction is observed in all provinces, although she warned that 21 of the 168 municipalities still show increases and that the endemic channel remains in an epidemic situation.
In the case of dengue, suspected cases decreased by 2.83%, despite the fact that six territories—Guantánamo, Las Tunas, Cienfuegos, Pinar del Río, Santiago de Cuba and Holguín—present rates higher than the national average.
Regarding chikungunya, at the end of last week, 1,880 cases were recorded, including confirmed and clinical suspects, which is 955 fewer than in the previous period. These indicators, the authorities noted, reflect a positive impact of the control measures implemented.
At the meeting, the analyzes of mathematical models that evaluate the evolution of the arbovirus. Doctor of Science Raúl Guinovart Díaz, director of Science and Technology at the University of Havana, confirmed that the projections point to a scenario of epidemic control, conditional on the sustained reduction of the mosquito vector foci.
Under control in these months
At the end of December, health authorities indicated that the epidemic could be under control at the beginning of 2026, according to mathematical models that evaluate its behavior.
Mathematician Raúl Guinovart Díaz, director of Science and Technology at the University of Havana, then explained that the models show a sustained decrease in the transmission of these arboviruses in much of the country.
In the clinical context, Dr. Ailuj Casanova Barreto, director of Medical and Social Care at Minsap, stated in December that strategies are maintained to protect the most exposed groups.
More than 93% of pregnant women in an advanced stage are under medical supervision in healthcare centers.
The health authorities also reviewed the organization of care for those with consequences of chikungunya. In Matanzas, more than 5 thousand people have required multidisciplinary consultations and about 60% have received rehabilitation, according to official data.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which bases its records on official figures, indicated that so far this year and until the second week of December, Cuba had accumulated 28,850 cases of dengue and 17 deaths from this disease.
As for the deceased, the latest official figure – from last Friday – raised the number of fatalities due to the epidemic to 55. About two-thirds of the dead are minors.
