What to know
- Presentation Day/Time: Wednesday, April 23, 1:00–2:25 pm
- Presenter: Sarah Gallalee, PhD, MPH, EIS officer assigned to the Virgin Islands Department of Health
What did we do?
- In 2024, the U.S. Virgin Islands experienced the first outbreak of dengue virus in a decade. The USVI Department of Health (VIDOH) investigated to identify outbreak magnitude and geographic distribution, determine surveillance gaps, and implement surveillance improvements and vector control interventions to halt transmission.
What did we find?
- In total, 181 confirmed dengue cases were reported, including 104 on St. Thomas, 40 on St. John, and 37 on St. Croix. We determined 174 were locally acquired and 117 cases occurred during June–August.
- One patient, a female aged 63 years with diabetes mellitus, died.
- Median patient age was 40 years and 58% of the patients were female.
- We improved surveillance by working with healthcare providers to implement electronic reporting; 11/29 clinics were onboarded.
- We visited 25 residential communities on St. Thomas and St. John for outreach and education; 256 household yards were inspected for breeding sites, and 167 were treated with outdoor larvicide for standing water.
Why does it matter?
- We documented the first confirmed dengue-associated death in USVI. Surveillance improvements, community outreach, and vector control interventions were important components in this response.
***This presentation has updated data that will be shared at the EIS Conference.
Abstract Category: Dengue