Barbados monitoring Chikungunya cases in Caribbean

Barbados says it is monitoring Chikungunya (ChikV) cases in the Caribbean after the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported an outbreak in Suriname, with more than 1 100 cases and one death, up to the end of February 2026.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness said while there have been no confirmed cases of ChikV in Barbados, as of March 17, the island had recorded 12 confirmed cases last year.

Chikungunya, like Dengue Fever and Zika, is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which remains a persistent endemic threat in Barbados.

The infection may be asymptomatic or symptoms may appear three to seven days after a mosquito bite. Common symptoms, similar to dengue, include fever with headache, muscle and joint pains or swelling, fatigue and rash. Joint pain with ChikV infection is often more prominent and may be prolonged for weeks, months, or in some cases, years.

The ministry said  treatment is usually supportive with rest and adequate fluids, and directed at the alleviation of symptoms. There are no specific antiviral therapies available for Chikungunya.

“As with dengue, it is suspected of the occurrence of the non-specific symptoms of fever with joint and or muscle pains, which may also occur with influenza. A venous blood sample for serum is taken for analysis at a lab for detection of the virus or antibodies to the virus.”

The ministry is urging Barbadians to continue to search out and destroy mosquitoes on their properties to prevent the spread of vector borne diseases.

It said physicians are reminded that the addresses of suspected cases must be recorded and submitted with samples to allow investigation of their environment. (CMC)

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