United States Virgin Islands Department of Health urges precautions as Dengue outbreak hits St. Croix District

The Virgin Islands Department of Health is urging residents to take precautions to prevent further transmission of dengue as the number of cases rises in the district of St. Croix.

“We are once again strongly urging residents to take steps now to prevent wider transmission,” said VI Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion on Wednesday. “Remove standing water from around your home, repair your window screens if there are holes or tears, and use mosquito repellent when outdoors. These simple steps significantly reduce the risk of dengue.”

To date, for 2025, 15 cases of dengue have been reported in the territory, all on the island of St. Croix, according to Dr. Esther Ellis, Territorial Epidemiologist for the VI Department of Health. The cases consist of samples from St. Croix Prohealth, Juan F. Luis Hospital, and Frederiksted Health Care Inc.

The VI Department of Health has mobilized teams in the St. Croix district to inspect schools, apply larvicides in high-risk zones, and educate schools on preventing mosquito bites and controlling breeding sites. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which thrives in rainy conditions, transmits the dengue virus from person to person. The virus can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe, and in some cases, life-threatening.

The most common symptoms of dengue include fever, pain behind the eyes, muscle, joint, or bone pain, nausea, vomiting, and/or rash. These symptoms usually last two (2) to seven (7) days, and most people recover within a week. Rest and acetaminophen or Tylenol for fever relief are recommended, however, aspirin or ibuprofen should be avoided.

Dr. Tai Hunte-Ceasar, Chief Medical Officer for the VI Department of Health, is advising the public to see their healthcare provider if experiencing symptoms of dengue.

“It is important to tell your provider the exact onset of symptoms, so they perform the appropriate test to avoid false negative results. This is the only way we can accurately track the rate of dengue in our community,” said Dr. Hunte-Ceasar. Dr. Ellis added that the numbers on St. Croix are underestimating the true dengue burden. “I encourage residents to get tested for dengue if you have symptoms,” she said.

Infants, pregnant women, and those with previous dengue infections are at higher risk for severe dengue. Some may develop severe dengue which typically occurs 24 to 48 hours after the fever subsides and includes symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding, or extreme fatigue. If these symptoms arise, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

The VI Department of Health Epidemiology Division has established a dengue hotline to provide residents with information about protection against and preventing dengue. The dengue Hotline numbers are (340) 725-5389 or 340-774-7477 ext. 5647. Members of the Epidemiology Division will be available to answer questions between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

The VI Department of Health also recently launched the USVI Epidemiology Data Dashboard, which provides real-time updates on dengue, Influenza, COVID-19, and wastewater cases in the Territory.

The following are recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for preventing mosquito bites:

• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone.
• Wear lightweight loose-fitting long sleeves and long pants, as well as mosquito repellent on exposed skin.
• Always follow instructions when applying insect repellent to children.
• Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old. Instead, dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs. Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
• Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children younger than 3 years old.
• Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin. Adults: spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply it to a child’s face.

To protect the home, CDC recommends:

• Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
• Mosquitoes lay eggs near water.
• Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, cisterns, rain barrels) so mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.
• For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
• Fill tree holes to prevent them from filling with water.
• If you have a cistern and/or septic tank, repair cracks or gaps.
• Cover open vents or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh/mosquito netting with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.

In June 2024, the CDC issued a Health Advisory to inform healthcare providers, public health authorities, and the public of the increased risk of dengue virus infections in the United States. The global incidence of dengue in 2024 was the highest on record. The neighboring islands of Puerto Rico declared a State of Emergency due to dengue in April of 2024 and continue to report a record number of cases.