Cuba records more than 11,000 dengue cases, over 9 times the expected average

Cuba has recorded more than 11,000 dengue cases in 2026, more than nine times the average expected, according to media reports on Thursday.

The island recorded 11,235 cases in 2026, equivalent to 9.2 times the expected average based on data from the previous five years, reported the Infobae news outlet, citing data on the Global Dengue Observatory.

The number of cases has increased sharply in recent months, with 4,102 recorded in September, compared with 3,214 in August.

Figures for July, August and September are estimates because Cuban authorities have not published updated official data on the progression of the disease.

The tracking system said transmission in Cuba is currently at its peak, with October traditionally marking the period of highest incidence of the disease.

The rise in cases comes amid a worsening energy and fuel crisis on the island, which has affected efforts to control the mosquito that transmits dengue.

Prolonged power outages have forced families to keep doors and windows open during hot nights, potentially increasing exposure to mosquitoes, according to the report.

Fuel shortages have also affected fumigation operations, limiting efforts to reduce mosquito populations and prevent the spread of the disease.

The situation has also been compounded by shortages of medicines and laboratory supplies, including drugs used to control fever and pain and reagents needed for blood tests.

Cuba’s Health Ministry acknowledged in September an increase in dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases but did not provide an updated nationwide tally.

Earlier data from the Global Dengue Observatory showed 7,133 dengue cases by mid-September, representing 7.4 times the expected average for that period.

Dengue is a viral disease transmitted primarily by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Most people recover without serious complications, but severe dengue can cause bleeding, shock and organ damage and may require hospitalization.

The World Health Organization has identified dengue as one of the fastest-growing mosquito-borne viral diseases globally, with cases increasing substantially in recent decades.