Canada Updates Travel Advisory for Cuba Amid Severe Shortages and Health Concerns
Global Affairs Canada has issued an updated travel advisory for Cuba, warning Canadian travellers of deteriorating conditions on the island nation. The federal government's notice highlights critical shortages of essential resources and a new health risk from mosquito-borne viruses.
Worsening Conditions and Infrastructure Challenges
The advisory, updated this week, describes the situation in Cuba as "unpredictable and could deteriorate" with potential disruptions to transportation services, including flight availability. Cuba currently carries a yellow travel advisory level, meaning travellers should "exercise a high degree of caution."
Rolling blackouts have become commonplace across the country, with some power outages lasting beyond 24 hours. While many tourist resorts maintain backup generators, fuel shortages frequently limit their effectiveness, compromising air conditioning systems, water supplies, and food storage capabilities.
The Canadian government warns of "chronic and severe shortages of basic necessities" including food, bottled water, public water supply, medication, fuel, and hard currency. These shortages have led to food spoilage incidents in restaurants and resorts due to extended power outages.
New Health Risk: Oropouche Virus Disease
A separate travel health notice warns of outbreaks of Oropouche virus disease (OVD) in the Americas, with specific warnings applying to Cuba and Panama. While this virus has previously circulated in the region, health officials note "there are now more cases than usual, and some areas are seeing cases for the first time."
The virus spreads to humans through the bite of infected midges or certain mosquito species. Symptoms typically appear three to eight days after exposure and include:
- Sudden fever and chills
- Severe headaches
- Muscle and joint pain
These symptoms can persist for up to seven days and may recur days or weeks later. While most people recover fully, complications can develop into more serious conditions including meningitis, encephalitis, and hemorrhaging. Currently, no specific treatment or vaccine exists for Oropouche virus disease.
Travel Recommendations and Preparedness
Canadian travellers planning visits to Cuba are advised to take several precautionary measures:
- Bring essential medications and toiletries from Canada
- Maintain emergency supplies of water, food, and fuel when possible
- Carry comprehensive travel insurance with medical coverage
- Monitor local news and weather reports regularly
- Keep communication devices fully charged
- Consider bringing a complete emergency kit
Despite these challenges, Cuba remains one of the most popular international destinations for Canadian travellers, particularly during winter months. The combination of affordable pricing and beautiful coastal areas continues to attract visitors, though the updated advisory emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation and awareness of current conditions.
The Canadian government notes that some countries have reported travel-related OVD cases, with most involving individuals returning from Cuba. Travellers experiencing symptoms after returning from affected regions should seek medical attention and inform healthcare providers of their recent travel history.
