Official reports indicate that several respiratory viruses remain active on the island, while the country grapples with other health problems that continue to accumulate impact.
Health update presented to Díaz-Canel
The most recent meeting between Miguel Díaz-Canel and a group of scientists revealed that respiratory viruses are becoming increasingly prevalent, according to the experts present. Between July and November, more than a thousand samples from patients with acute respiratory infections were studied, and the results confirm the predominance of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pandemic H1N1 influenza.
Both pathogens primarily affect young children and older adults. COVID-19 circulation was also confirmed, with a low but consistent positivity rate, accompanied by variants under international surveillance, including XFG. The graphs shown during the session revealed discrete peaks and a stable, though not yet resolved, trend.
One of the specialists clarified that the coronavirus is not currently "the main problem," but she did reiterate that "the virus is circulating," as noted in the exchange with the president. No figures were provided regarding hospitalizations or resource availability.
Models that anticipate an increase in cases
Mathematician Raúl Guinovart presented projections indicating a possible increase in infections in the coming weeks, especially in the eastern part of the country and on the Isle of Youth. The report did not specify whether it referred to arboviruses, respiratory infections, or both, adding uncertainty to the actual situation.
Díaz-Canel called for maintaining “permanent and timely” information, despite the fact that Ministry of Public Health It faces criticism for the lack of clarity in its reports epidemiological.
The other side: 33 deaths from dengue and chikungunya
The confirmation of the circulation of H1N1 and COVID-19 comes in parallel with a recent acknowledgment by the government: 33 deceased due to dengue and chikungunya, of which 21 were minors. The data reignited concernscupAction within and outside the country, with foreign media describing a "limited" health system and hospitals in poor condition.
The situation is aggravated by the lack of insecticides, the shortage of medicines, blackouts and high rates of infestation in provinces such as Camagüey, Santiago de Cuba and Havana.
Technologies that advance slowly in the face of urgent needs
At the meeting with Díaz-Canel, scientists from the health and biotechnology sectors presented technologies for controlling the Aedes aegypti mosquito: sterile insects, transgenic organisms, and intracellular bacteria. The participating institutions formed a national commission to promote these projects and advance them toward an industrial phase.
However, these solutions remain in laboratories or in early stages, while the population faces active outbreaks, overwhelmed hospitals, and few tools to protect themselves on a daily basis.