Early warning for dengue: Cuba strengthens prevention at the community level

An integrated approach

Mario Cruz Peñate, the PAHO/WHO representative in Cuba, highlights the importance of this initiative, which is part of the national "One Health" project. For Peñate, the project is an example of how cross-sectoral collaboration can strengthen the country's ability to protect both human and environmental health. At the project's closing workshop, representatives from the ministries of Science, Technology and the Environment (CITMA), Public Health (MINSAP), and Education (MINED) joined various community stakeholders to share results, best practices, and lessons learned.

Activities and results

Among the activities that took place during the 12-month project, notable highlights include training workshops for a multidisciplinary group of specialists, community-level exchanges, and talks to raise awareness and educate the public.

"One of the most significant results has to do with the creation of dengue prediction bulletins based on climate forecasts," says Yazenia Linares Vega, the leader of the SAT-DENCLIM climate. "These bulletins are produced monthly, and include two types: one for local authorities and institutions to help them make informed decisions, and another to help neighborhood residents act preventively," she adds.

The project also invested in equipment for research, communication, education, and vector control, including the purchase of microscopes to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Project impact

According to the project's coordinating team, the ultimate purpose of the is ambitious: to empower community members so that behavioral change happens at the local level, and people work together to prevent diseases and promote well-being. With over 13 million dengue cases in the Americas in 2024 and 3.6 million so far in 2025, projects like this are essential.

For Daniel Buss, head of the Climate Change and Environmental Determinants of Health Unit at PAHO, "preventative systems provide an invisible layer of protection for health services; the better they work, the fewer cases of dengue and other diseases will occur.” He also emphasizes the importance of continuing to develop these types of initiatives, which can serve as examples for other cities, provinces, and countries throughout the Americas.

While it's too early to measure long-term results, encouraging signs are already appearing, including a greater understanding within the community of how to organize preventive actions for vector control. In recent months, no dengue cases have been reported in the intervention area.

The change is already palpable, and Maydolis expresses her enthusiasm: "This project has led to so many good things. We started with dengue, but we can extend it to other areas. When we start taking the first steps, we realize we can put a lot of heart into it and do more. I'm so happy!"