Moscow’s warning adds to those already issued by several foreign governments against non-essential travel to the Island
14ymedio, Havana, December 6, 2025 — The epidemiological situation in Cuba is so serious that even an ally like Russia has been forced to issue a new international alert for its travellers. The embassy in Havana, citing a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, has advised its citizens to take extreme precautions against the resurgence of cases of dengue and chikungunya. Suggested measures include the use of repellent, closed and long-sleeved clothing during periods of high mosquito activity and avoiding areas with stagnant water.
Concern about the epidemic in Cuba has been noted in Russia in recent days. The press has reacted with growing alarm, calling into question the safety of travelling to the island during the holiday season.
Epidemiologist Guennadi Onishchenko of the Russian Academy of Sciences advised citizens to “return their tourist packages” and opt for destinations near Moscow, considering that “taking the risk of contracting an infectious disease is, at the very least, unwise.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry has advised its citizens to take extreme precautions against the epidemic in Cuba
Gazeta called the situation “critical” and estimated that there are currently about 1,500 Russian tourists in the most affected areas, of whom at least 14 are ill.
The actual numbers of infected Russians seem to be higher. Cases of people with the virus often appear on social media. In the Facebook group “Russians in Cuba,” tourist Anna Lynn recounted the case of her husband, infected with the virus in Holguín and with a 104 degree (F) fever. “We called the doctor and the diagnosis was chikungunya. But they told us there is no treatment, only water and rest. I’m very worried,” she said.
Other countries like the US, the UK and Canada have previously warned about the epidemiological situation on the island
The health situation on the island and the recent warning issued by Moscow could affect the number of Russian visitors in the coming weeks, which would further accentuate the current drop of 36.2% in Russian tourists for the first ten months of this year (99,908, instead of 156,614 in 2024).
Other countries have previously issued warnings. One of the first was the US, which in September issued through its Embassy in Havana a health alert for all citizens who want to travel to Cuba, due to the outbreak of chikungunya. The risk was then determined at Level 2, which requires taking “additional precautions.”
The Government of Canada maintains its warning to “exercise a high degree of caution” when travelling to Cuba, updated on November 25, 2025. Cuba is explicitly included as a destination at risk from mosquito-borne diseases.
The UK Foreign Office, in its recently updated travel guide for Cuba, reported on the declared epidemic of arbovirosis on the island and advised travellers to take precautions to prevent bites.
Several warnings mention that the risk is not only from arbovirosis but also from a health infrastructure in crisis, with shortages of medicines, irregular water supply, and difficulties in accessing adequate medical care.
Translated by Regina Anavy
____________
COLLABORATE WITH OUR WORK: The 14ymedio team is committed to practicing serious journalism that reflects Cuba’s reality in all its depth. Thank you for joining us on this long journey. We invite you to continue supporting us by becoming a member of 14ymedio now. Together we can continue transforming journalism in Cuba.