This past Friday, officials from Isla de la Juventud conceded to ongoing challenges in waste collection and raised alarms over a worrying increase in dengue cases during a session of the Municipal Assembly of People's Power. Delegates gathered to scrutinize both pressing issues.
As reported by the state-run newspaper, Victoria, the Comunales Company presented a waste collection initiative at the plenary session, highlighting its uneven progress across various districts within the municipality.
The precinct of Chacón leads in implementing the program, while the 26 de Julio area will soon see the addition of two more carts to bolster the service.
Plans are underway to commence waste management activities in Abel next week. Meanwhile, in Pueblo Nuevo, one of the largest districts in this special municipality, authorities will first conduct a study to tailor the strategy to local needs.
The project also aims to gradually expand into the regions of La Demajagua and Patria.
This initiative comes amid a partial privatization of services, as the small and medium-sized enterprise Belmary began charging for waste collection in the Chacón and Sierra Caballos neighborhoods starting in August. Residents who fail to pay will be flagged by inspectors from the Comunales Services Company.
Simultaneously, Bárbara Daudinó, the municipal director of Public Health, outlined the severe epidemiological challenges the territory faces due to a rise in arboviral diseases, particularly dengue.
The official warned that dengue serotype 2 is the most prevalent in the country, emphasizing the risk of transmission in the municipality and urging residents to seek medical attention immediately if they experience any febrile symptoms.
The situation is especially dire in the town of La Fe, where diagnosed dengue cases surged by over 40 compared to the previous week, although no severe cases have been reported, according to the same media outlet.
Local microbiologists confirmed the circulation of various serotypes, including serotype 2, which can rapidly deteriorate a patient's condition, posing a life-threatening risk.
To curb the outbreak, approximately 40 members of the Armed Forces have been deployed in La Fe alongside healthcare personnel. Extramural fumigations with microdroplets, proactive house-to-house investigations, and intensive sanitation campaigns are being conducted.
The health crisis on Isla de la Juventud is not an isolated incident. Sancti Spíritus has experienced five consecutive weeks of rising dengue incidence rates. Meanwhile, Guantánamo province remains under Epidemiological Alert, exacerbated by widespread dumpsites, and the municipality of Unión de Reyes in Matanzas reported 154 febrile patients, struggling to maintain regular fumigation due to an energy crisis.
Cuba concluded 2025 with over 81,900 cases of dengue and chikungunya and at least 65 fatalities, as reported by the Pan American Health Organization.
In June, Deputy Minister of Public Health, Carilda Peña, cautioned that "without a series of measures, we could face an epidemic."
Understanding the Dengue Situation on Isla de la Juventud
What are the main challenges faced by Isla de la Juventud in waste management?
The main challenges include uneven progress in waste collection across different districts and the need to expand services to additional regions while managing partial privatization.
How is the dengue outbreak being addressed on the island?
Efforts to address the dengue outbreak include mobilizing armed forces, conducting extramural fumigations, and implementing intensive sanitation campaigns alongside active house-to-house investigations.
What is the significance of the dengue serotype 2 in Cuba?
Dengue serotype 2 is significant because it is currently the most prevalent in Cuba and can quickly exacerbate symptoms, posing a severe risk to life.