Born in Camagüey province (eastern Cuba), Finlay (1833-1915) discovered the transmitting agent of yellow fever, which made it possible to clean up the areas invaded by this infectious insect all over the world.

In Cuba, the “Carlos J. Finlay” Order of Merit was created in his honor, awarded to those who render relevant services to science. Likewise, on December 3, in commemoration of his birth, the Latin American Medicine Day is celebrated.

The Cuban epidemiologist was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Medicine, in recognition of his scientific work, considered one of the most important in the field of tropical diseases.

The merits of this scientist allowed him to become a member of the Academy of Medical, Physical and Natural Sciences of Havana; he was appointed Chief of the Superior Board of Health in 1902, and received numerous awards, among them the Order of the Legion of Honor of France.

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