Finlay, when science is a lighthouse of hope

Cuba remembers one of the greatest scientists that the Caribbean nation has given to the world: Carlos Juan Finlay.

Today, on the 110th anniversary of his death, he pays tribute to this visionary who dedicated his life to unraveling the secrets of yellow fever. Understanding the crucial role of mosquitoes in the transmission of diseases.

Finlay, born in 1833, showed a marked interest in medicine and science, which led him to study in Paris. However, it was in his homeland where he developed his most significant investigations.

In a context marked by devastating epidemics and an scared population. Finlay became a key figure in the fight against yellow fever. A disease that had gained thousands of lives in Havana and other Cities of the Caribbean.

In 1881, this Cuban scientist made his revolutionary hypothesis: the transmitting agent of yellow fever was not air. As believed until then, but a mosquito.

Despite the criticisms and skepticism of many contemporaries, his research laid the foundations for the control of this disease. Becoming a pioneer in the use of the scientific method to study epidemiology and entomology. In addition to the precursor of modern tropical medicine.

Today, August 20th, anniversary of the death of Carlos J. Finlay, coincides curiously with World Mosquito Day. A date that seeks to raise awareness about the dangers that these insects represent for public health. When even today in Holguin territory there is a new increase in dengue cases with alarm signs of the disease mainly in children.

In a world where diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, such as dengue, Zika and Chikungunya, remain a latent threat. Finlay’s legacy resonates more force than ever.

His work not only saved lives in his time, but also opened the doors to future research on the relationship between vectors and diseases.

The figure of this great Cuban researcher invites you to reflect on the importance of scientific research in public health. In a world where health challenges are increasingly complex. Their legacy reminds us that knowledge is a powerful tool in the fight against diseases.

Today, more than ever, his legacy lives among us, reminding us that science is a lighthouse of hope in the face of continuous stalking of so many diseases.

By: Leannis Berbén Leyva