Threat LensBiologicalChief Medical Officer: no measles outbreak in Barbados

Chief Medical Officer: no measles outbreak in Barbados

Type of event:
Disease/Outbreak, Public health

Victims

Wounded

Date

May 10, 2025

What happened

Speaking during a break at the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) 69th Annual Health Research Conference, Barbados Chief Medical Officer, The Most Honourable Dr Kenneth George, said there is no measles outbreak in the country. However, he expressed concern about low levels of immunisation against the disease. At present, health authorities dispense two vaccines, one at 12 months and one at 18 months. Yet none of them has reached a satisfying level to protect the population. George said that if there were an outbreak, most individuals would be fine, but a small minority would likely face severe complications like bacterial pneumonia and meningoencephalitis. These complications can be fatal.
George confirmed that health authorities continue to monitor the situation due to the ongoing measles outbreak in the US. They also continue to fight other illnesses such as gastroenteritis and respiratory diseases. He noted no significant increase in respiratory disease and dengue fever cases. Executive director of CARPHA Dr Lisa Indar also said that local and regional authorities are monitoring the spread of arboviral diseases in the Caribbean area. She added that some territories are reporting gastrointestinal and dengue cases, as well as sporadic measles cases.

Where it happened

Main sources