Cuba is grappling with a significant surge in mosquito-borne diseases, with nearly a third of the population affected, according to the country’s chief epidemiologist. The situation has been exacerbated by an ongoing economic crisis, which has hindered the government’s ability to implement effective sanitation and disease control measures. Health workers have been deploying fogging machines in Havana, one of the hardest-hit areas, to combat the spread of viruses such as dengue and chikungunya. Francisco Duran, the national director of epidemiology at Cuba’s Ministry of Public Health, described the situation as ‘acute’ and emphasized ongoing efforts to develop treatments and vaccines. The chikungunya virus, once rare in Cuba, has been spreading rapidly, causing severe symptoms such as headaches, rashes, and joint pain that can lead to long-term disability. Cuban health authorities are conducting clinical trials to test the effectiveness of Jusviza, an injectable anti-inflammatory drug, and exploring rectal ozone therapy as potential treatments. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported nearly 340,000 chikungunya cases globally in 2025, with 145 deaths across at least 16 countries. The World Health Organization has issued an urgent call for action to prevent a new epidemic. Cuba’s healthcare system, once among the best in Latin America, has been severely impacted by decades of U.S. economic sanctions, which have led to shortages of essential supplies, including food, fuel, and medicine. The Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez, has condemned the sanctions as a ‘policy of collective punishment’ that violates human rights.