Cuban Health Authorities Battle Oropouche Virus Amid Crises

Cuban health authorities have launched fumigation efforts to combat the Oropouche virus in Havana. The virus has spread rapidly, complicating efforts due to a rainy Caribbean summer, fuel shortages, and growing roadside trash heaps. Economic crises and shortages further hamper mosquito-borne illness control.

Cuban health authorities launched small-scale fumigation efforts in Havana on Friday to fight the spread of the Oropouche virus, but a rainy Caribbean summer, fuel shortages, and growing roadside trash heaps are complicating those efforts, workers and officials said.

Since May, more than 500 cases of the virus have been registered in Cuba, with the disease first detected in the far-eastern region. The virus, also known as sloth fever, is transmitted by mosquitoes and has spread across all provinces and major cities, including Havana. Although rarely fatal, it causes fever, body aches, and nausea.

Efforts to fumigate are hindered by limited resources. "In the past, all blocks were fumigated weekly, but now, due to fuel shortages, they focus on specific cases with fever outbreaks," said Luís Aguilar, a fumigation worker in Havana. U.S. health authorities reported 21 American citizens who visited Cuba contracted the virus this summer.

Despite relatively fewer cases compared to Brazil, Cuba's efforts are hampered by economic crises and shortages of essential supplies. Power outages force many to sleep with windows open, and limited access to insect repellent and growing trash heaps due to summer rains provide breeding grounds for insects.

There are currently no specific treatments or vaccines for Oropouche.

(With inputs from agencies.)