In the dark again

There can be no doubt that Cuba is experiencing a serious dengue fever epidemic.

Even Raul Castro admits as much, in a typically roundabout kind of way.

The younger Castro, who is supposed to be in charge while his older brother recovers, told a group of provincial political leaders over the weekend that the eradication of the mosquito responsible for the epidemic - Aedes aegypti - had become the nation's number one priority.

And yet, the secrecy-obsessed Communist regime refuses to reveal the extent of the epidemic. No news of whether anyone has died from the disease. Or how many Cubans may have been infected so far. Nothing.

You see, such information remains a "State secret". Just like news of Fidel Castro's health.

It's that kind of the place.