US warns of rising illnesses in Cuba amid worsening water, power crisis; embassy issues health alert

A person sleeps on the Malecón seawall to escape the heat of their homes during a power outage in Havana earlier this month The US Embassy in Havana has issued a health alert over a rise in intestinal illnesses and diarrhea across Cuba, linking the outbreak to the continued deterioration of the island’s water and electricity infrastructure.The warning comes as the Trump administration continues to restrict fuel shipments to Cuba, worsening power shortages and creating additional problems for water supplies, food refrigeration and sanitation.“The US Embassy has noted a significant increase in diarrheal illness across Cuba, associated with the continuing degradation of the water and energy infrastructure,” the embassy said in its alert on Friday. “This degradation affects water supply, and food storage and temperature control.”The embassy urged travelers and residents to exercise caution around food that may not have been properly stored. It specifically warned against eating “foods that appear to have been sitting at room temperature for extended periods” and advised people to be wary of perishable food that may have been inadequately refrigerated.The health warning comes nine month...