The U.S. Embassy in Cuba has issued a health alert, warning Americans about a rise in gastrointestinal illnesses caused by the island nation’s water and energy grid collapses.
“The U.S. Embassy has noted a significant increase in diarrheal illness across Cuba, associated with the continuing degradation of the water and energy infrastructure,” according to the alert published on Sept. 4.
The embassy said the degradation impacted the country’s water supply, food storage, and temperature control, sparking infections such as E. coli, norovirus, Shigella, and other gastrointestinal pathogens.
Americans are urged to “be cautious” around meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy, and other perishable foods that have not been stored properly….