The Ministry of Health and Wellness is monitoring Chikungunya (ChikV) cases in the region following a report from the Pan American Health Organization of an outbreak in Suriname, with more than 1 1 00 cases and one death, up to the end of February 2026.
While there have been no confirmed cases of ChikV in Barbados, as of March 17, 2026, the Ministry disclosed that the island recorded 12 confirmed cases in 2025.
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.
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 on 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. Viral detection by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is obtained from samples taken up to eight days after the onset of symptoms. Clinicians are reminded to obtain and include the ‘Date of onset of symptoms’ in any request for sample analyses.
Members of the public can prevent Chikungunya infection by:
• Avoiding mosquito bites by wearing occlusive clothing, i.e. clothing that
protects persons from being bitten.
• Wearing chemical insect repellants or using insect screens and nets.
• Ambient temperature control also reduces the risk of any mosquito-borne
disease as it inhibits the vector’s ability to bite.
Since an infected mosquito is infectious for its lifetime, anywhere from two to four weeks, adult mosquitoes, around the premises where there are cases, are treated with insecticide.
Barbadians are advised to continue to search out and destroy mosquitoes on their properties to prevent the spread of vector borne diseases. Household or facility reduction of mosquito breeding is needed for effective prevention. Physicians are reminded that the addresses of suspected cases must be recorded and submitted with samples to allow investigation of their environment.
The post Ministry of Health monitoring ChikV cases in the region appeared first on Barbados Today.
