Cuban Blindness: Diary of a Mysterious Epidemic Neuropathy

On May 4, 1993, Cuba asked the international health community and the World Health Organization (WHO) to find the cause of a mysterious epidemic of blindness that was spreading uncontrollably. Contradictory hypotheses confronted the team of scientists on this mission. Is the epidemic the result of a plot to topple Castro, as the Cubans believe? Or exposure to radioactivity or an unidentified nerve toxin accidentally released by the Russian Army withdrawing from Cuba? Cuban Blindness: Diary of a Mysterious Epidemic Neuropathy is a firsthand account of the epidemic of blindness and the hardships of life in Cuba at the time of the "special period" that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union and the tightening of the US embargo. Dr. Román—who was at the time Chief of Neuroepidemiology at the US National Institutes of Health—was a participant in this scientific mission and describes the neurological symptoms experienced by the victims of this epidemic disease, and narrates the epidemiologists’ detective work struggling to solve the mystery. This book combines neuroscience and scientific discovery with political intrigue, finally bringing the reader to the unexpected solution provided by a WWII survivor of Changi POW Camp in Singapore. Cuban Blindness: Diary of a Mysterious Epidemic Neuropathy is a description of the neuroepidemiological study undertaken to identify the cause of the epidemic neurological disease that affected Cuba in 1993-1994.

Summarizes clinical manifestations in prototypical case reportsAnalyzes possible neurological and neuroepidemiological causes from possible viruses to toxinsDiscusses the health ramifications of political decisions surrounding the Cuban EmbargoDescribes the implementation of treatment and preventive measures

Prologue
1. Pinar Del Rio, Cuba, December 12, 1991
2. An Economy in Crisis Havana, November 22, 1991
3. Ariza Prison Cienfuegos, Cuba, August 5, 1992
4. The Strange Epidemic Geneva, May 4, 1993
5. Pan American Health Organization (Paho) Washington DC, May 10, 1993
6. Federal Building: Bethesda, Maryland, May 11, 1993
7. Neuroepidemiology, NIH: Bethesda, Maryland, May 14, 1993
8. Cuba: A Dream Island, May 14, 1993
9. A Farcical Journey Miami International Airport, May 15, 1993
10. In the Eye of the Storm Cuba, May 16, 1993
11. Epidemiologists:  Medical Detectives Havana, May 17, 1993
12. Eye Hospital of Havana, Cuba: 7:00 AM, Monday, May 17, 1993
13. An Unknown Virus Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute Havana, Cuba:  Tuesday, May 18, 1993
14. The Virologists’ Arrival: Havana - Cuba 10:00 AM, Wednesday, May 19, 1993
15. Mariel Thursday, May 20, 1993
16. Hunger Everywhere Pinar Del Río, May 20, 1993
17. Cassava and Cyanide Thursday, May 20, 1993
18. The Myelitis of Santiago De Cuba Friday, May 21, 1993
19. Tobacco Blindness Isla De La Juventud: May 23, 1993
20. Of Poisons and Warfare Toxins Havana, May 26, 1993
21. Three-Thousand-Five-Hundred Patients Every Week Havana, May 27, 1993
22. The Answer: Changi P.O.W. Camp Singapore, February 15, 1942
23. Blockade Amblyopia Cuba, 1897-1898 & 1991-1993
24. The End of the Epidemic
Aftermath