33 people die in Cuba from mosquito-borne diseases

In recent months, dangerous mosquito-borne diseases have surged in Cuba, claiming the lives of at least 33 people, Reuters reports.

According to Deputy Health Minister Carilda Peña, 12 of the deceased died from dengue fever, while 21 died from the chikungunya virus. Among the victims, 21 were children under 18.

Although the exact timing of the deaths is unclear, the minister noted that the outbreak has affected about one-third of the country’s population.

Cuba’s healthcare system has struggled in recent years due to economic crisis, shortages of medicine, and fuel scarcity. These issues have slowed down street cleaning and disinfection efforts, creating conditions for the spread of dengue and chikungunya viruses.

Previously rare in the country, chikungunya has spread rapidly in recent months. The disease is mainly transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which also carry dengue and Zika viruses.

Chikungunya causes high fever, headaches, rashes, and joint pain. While it rarely leads to death, the infection can leave people with months-long joint pain and weakness, sometimes resulting in disability.

Currently, Havana and Santiago report the highest number of cases. Last week alone, 5,717 new infections were recorded. Authorities acknowledge that the real numbers may be higher, as many people do not seek medical care.

In July, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning that the global risk of chikungunya is rising again. The organization noted that new outbreaks originating in the Indian Ocean region could spread to Europe and the Americas.