Americans accused of worsening swine flu situation in Cuba

There have been almost 800 confirmed cases in Cuba, with seven recorded deaths.(File photo)

HAVANA, Cuba, November 2, 2009 – Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro is pointing a finger at American visitors for the spread of swine flu in that Caribbean island.

He wrote in state-controlled newspapers over the weekend that since April when the Barack Obama administration eased travel restrictions for Cuban-Americans and the country saw an influx of visitors, the virus has spread.

Castro said that it is now present in of the island’s provinces, "principally those with the highest number of relatives who reside in the United States."

At the same time, Castro said he didn’t think it was any planned attempt to spread the virus among the Cuban population: “I don't think, of course, that it was the intention of the United States government.”

However, the 83-year-old former president complained that America’s continued trade embargo was preventing Cubans from getting access to adequate medication to treat the swine flu virus.

“We had the strange case where the United States on one hand authorised more trips for a large number of people carrying the virus, and on the other prohibited us from obtaining equipment and medicine to combat the virus,” he said.
 
There have been almost 800 confirmed cases in Cuba, with seven recorded deaths.