West Nile Virus Detected in Barbados

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported today that West Nile Virus (WNV) had been detected in a child from Bagatelle, a parish in St. Thomas, located in Barbados, an island country in the Caribbean Sea.

On October 3, 2024, the WHO's Disease Outbreak News stated that this was the first human case of WNV detected in Barbados, which has a population of about 280,000.

Additionally, thousands of people visit Barbados yearly as it is a favorite vaccination destination and cruise ship port.

Additionally, no infections have been previously documented in birds or horses in Barbados, making this case both unusual and unexpected, wrote the WHO. Although no cases of WNV have been documented in birds or horses in the country, the virus may be circulating in these populations undetected. 

However, the WNV has previously spread throughout the Caribbean, likely via infected migratory birds.

The WHO's risk of international dissemination of WNV from Barbados is low, as the virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites, with birds as the natural hosts.

Based on available information on this event, WHO does not recommend any restrictions on travel and/or trade for Barbados and will continue to evaluate the epidemiological situation in Barbados. 

In the United States, 46 states have reported over 1,400 WNV cases in 2024.

From a prevention perspective, no approved West Nile virus vaccines are available for people in 2024.