Tuesday, June 30, 2026

THE RISK TO THE CARIBBEAN IS ASSESSED BY THE CARIBBEAN PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY AS LOW. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE REGION’S HIGH CONNECTIVITY THROUGH INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INTO THE CARIBBEAN REGION, STRENGTHENING OF NATIONAL SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS IS IMPORTANT

On May 17, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the ongoing Ebola  Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and  Uganda, a Public Health Emergency of international Concern (PHEIC) under the  International Health Regulations (2005). The declaration of a PHEIC underscores the need  for heightened international and regional vigilance and coordination especially given the  current situation in conflict- affected regions with limited access to healthcare services.  Although at present, this event is not classified as a pandemic, coordinated international  action is required.

On June 23, 2026 the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ministry of Health reported a cumulative total of 1,094 confirmed Ebola Virus Disease cases, including 277 confirmed  deaths, and 387 individuals hospitalized in isolation as of June 22, 2026. This represents  an increase of 46 confirmed cases and 10 deaths since the previous update was published. As  of June 24, 2026, Uganda had reported a total of 20 confirmed Ebola Virus Disease cases,  including two deaths.

On June 24, 2026 the French Ministry of Health reported one confirmed case of Ebola  Virus Disease in France. Previously, only one other confirmed case outside the affected  region had been reported: that is on May 19, 2026 a United States of America citizen who  was medically evacuated to Germany for treatment. Both cases were imported from areas  affected by the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Health authorities in both countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda are  supported by WHO and partners, and continue to implement extensive response measures.

The current risk to the Caribbean is still assessed by the Caribbean Public Health Agency  (CARPHA) as low. However, given the region’s high connectivity through international  travel and direct flights into the Caribbean region, strengthening of national surveillance  systems and preparedness is important.

The Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George, National Epidemiologist Dr.  Michelle Francois and Laboratory Director Dr. Wayne Felicien attended CARPHA’s Joint  Regional Health Security and Regional Coordinating Mechanism for Health Security  meeting in Trinidad and Tobago from June 9-11, 2026. This meeting served to advance  regional coordination and collaboration for Emergency Response and Prevention,  Preparedness and Response Surveillance, and Data Sharing. The effective regional health  coordination requires a coordinated, collaborative approach among Member States and  partners to protect the health of their local and visitor populations and mitigate against  health threats such as infectious diseases and pandemics.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition continues to strengthen the National Ebola  Plans in collaboration with the hospitals and health stakeholders. Sensitization and training  have been held with healthcare workers, the Education, Tourism and Business Sector,  Immigration, Customs and Excise and the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority  (SLASPA).

Interventions continue to strengthen the ports of entry to support timely identification,  reporting and management of travellers who may have been exposed to Ebola Virus  Disease or travelled from affected countries within the previous 21 days.

The CARPHA Regional Referral Laboratory now has the capacity to test for Ebola Viruses  and has coordinated transportation of suspected case specimens on behalf of Member  States.

As per travel advisory for Saint Lucia, the public is advised against travel to high risk  regions and persons who travel into the country from the defined high-risk regions will be  placed on 21 days’ home quarantine. A 15 room Isolation ward and 12 bed management  ward has been identified in the event cases are suspected, diagnosed or detected on island.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition is closely monitoring the outbreak and  preparing plans for prevention, early detection and management in the country, in consultation  with the regional public health agencies.