VI Health Officials Warn of Rising Dengue Cases on St. Croix, Urge Preventative Measures

The V.I. Department of Health is urging residents to take immediate precautions as the number of dengue virus cases rises on St. Croix. Health officials have confirmed 15 cases in 2025, all occurring on the island, with samples collected from St. Croix ProHealth, Juan F. Luis Hospital, and Frederiksted Health Care Inc. Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion is calling on residents to eliminate standing water, repair window screens, and use mosquito repellent to help curb the spread of the virus. "We are once again strongly urging residents to take steps now to prevent wider transmission," she emphasized. "These simple steps significantly reduce the risk of dengue." To combat the spread, DOH said it has mobilized teams in the St. Croix district to inspect schools, apply larvicides in high-risk zones, and educate the public on mosquito control and bite prevention. Dengue is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which thrives in rainy conditions. The virus can cause symptoms rangin...