SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba — Five children received urgent medical treatment at the Hospital Infantil Sur Dr. Antonio María Béguez César on September 9 after developing symptoms consistent with food poisoning.

According to local reporting, the children experienced vomiting and diarrhea and were treated by medical staff for the immediate effects of the illness, including the risk of dehydration.

The incident comes as health alerts have highlighted a wider increase in gastrointestinal illnesses across Cuba. A recent health advisory linked rising diarrheal illnesses to deteriorating water and energy infrastructure, with E. coli, Shigella and norovirus among pathogens reported in recent cases.

The Santiago de Cuba cases are putting renewed attention on food handling, safe water, refrigeration and pediatric health, particularly during prolonged electricity interruptions.

Category Fit: Cuba Health News — directly relevant to pediatric healthcare, food safety, gastrointestinal illness and emergency medical treatment in Santiago de Cuba.