In a concerning development at Pepito Tey Urban Secondary School in Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba province, more than 25 students and one adult were treated on Wednesday due to an undetermined poisoning, as reported by the Contramaestre Communication Department on social media.
The initial report stated that 23 teenagers exhibiting symptoms such as vomiting, cramps, headaches, and eye irritation were treated at Orlando Pantoja Tamayo General Teaching Hospital. All individuals received prompt medical attention, and none were in life-threatening conditions.
Subsequent updates increased the number of those affected to 25 students and one adult from the same institution. Of these, 13 remained under hospital observation with progressively improving symptoms, while the rest were discharged. None required intensive care unit admission.
"This afternoon, 25 students from ESBU Pepito Tey and one adult from the same school were attended to. All are out of danger, none in intensive care, with only 13 hospitalized under observation and showing reduced symptoms; the others have been discharged," the official statement clarified.
The authorities have not disclosed the cause of the poisoning in either publication, announcing that a thorough investigation will be conducted. The symptoms reported—especially eye irritation—could be indicative of either food poisoning or exposure to a chemical substance or gas, although no official confirmation has been provided for either hypothesis.
Psychological support was offered to the affected students and their families by the institution's psychologists during the emergency.
This incident adds to a series of poisoning outbreaks recorded in Cuba throughout 2026. In August, 52 individuals were affected by food poisoning in Santiago de Cuba, with 18 requiring hospitalization. In September, a similar situation occurred in Pedro Betancourt, Matanzas, impacting 29 people—22 children and seven adults. Earlier in October, two individuals died in Holguín after mistaking potassium nitrate for common salt.
Moreover, there is a direct precedent in the educational sector: in January 2025, 35 students aged 15 to 18 were hospitalized in Matanzas after inhaling an unidentified substance at José Luis Dubrocq Urban Pre-University Institute.
As of now, the Contramaestre authorities have not released the results of the promised investigation regarding the incident at ESBU Pepito Tey.
Understanding the Poisoning Incident in Contramaestre
What symptoms did the victims experience?
The victims experienced vomiting, cramps, headaches, and eye irritation.
How many people were hospitalized due to the poisoning?
A total of 13 people remained hospitalized for observation, while others were discharged.
Have the authorities determined the cause of the poisoning?
No, the cause of the poisoning remains undetermined, and an investigation is underway.