West Nile virus in Barbados

The World Health Organization has reported a case of West Nile virus Bagatelle, St. Thomas. The person became unwell on 10 June 2024 and testing confirmed West Nile virus infection on 4 September 2024.

This is the first time West Nile virus has been reported in Barbados.

West Nile virus is spread by mosquito bites and can cause a flu-like illness, sometimes leading to severe or life-threatening disease.

Advice for Travellers

Travellers to affected areas should be advised to:

• practice mosquito bite avoidance measures at all times, especially at dusk and dawn during peak transmission times and when outbreaks are known to be occurring
• seek medical advice if they develop a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms with fever following travel to a risk area

There is no vaccine against West Nile virus.

Note for blood donors: those who have recently travelled to an area with West Nile virus transmission may need to wait or be tested for the virus before their blood is accepted.

• see the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service website for further details

For further information see TRAVAX West Nile Fever page.