Be Vigilant, Not Worried, CMO Says as
Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronald E. Georges is urging Virgin Islanders to be vigilant but not alarmed after regional and international agencies investigate a reported hantavirus cluster linked to a cruise vessel outside the Caribbean. Health officials say the risk to the BVI and the wider Caribbean remains very low and remind residents to follow simple rodent-control and cleaning precautions and to rely on trusted public-health sources for updates.
Georges is advising residents of the British Virgin Islands to be vigilant but not panicked about hantavirus after recent international reports. Speaking on the Government Information Service Health Bytes programme on May 22, 2026, Dr Georges said the Territory and the wider Caribbean face a "very, very low" risk and that hantavirus "is not a disease that we've seen in the Caribbean, to any extent" (Government Information Service; VINO).
The Ministry of Health and Social Development confirmed earlier this month that it is closely monitoring a reported hantavirus cluster that has been linked to a cruise vessel outside the Caribbean region. Officials say regional and international agencies — including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) — are synthesising reports from countries, cruise lines and airlines while the incident is investigated (Ministry release; VINO).
Dr Georges explained how hantavirus is usually transmitted: primarily from infected rodents to people through contact with rodent droppings, urine or saliva. He stressed that human-to-human spread is extremely uncommon, and emphasised that hantavirus "is not COVID" and does not transmit between people as efficiently as respiratory pandemics like influenza or COVID-19 (GIS; BVI News).
Public-health advice focuses on preventing rodent exposure and improving environmental sanitation. Practical household steps include sealing gaps around homes to deter rodents, storing food securely, disposing of garbage properly, and reducing conditions that attract rats. Anyone who develops unexplained fever, severe muscle aches or respiratory symptoms after possible rodent exposure should seek medical attention promptly (VINO; BVI News).
New reporting highlights additional practical cleaning guidance. BVI News noted that Dr Georges advised residents to avoid dry sweeping areas contaminated by rodents because dust and dried droppings can become airborne; instead he recommended wet cleaning methods such as mopping or wiping surfaces and using gloves when handling contaminated materials (BVI News).
Authorities are also using enhanced surveillance at ports and monitoring maritime arrivals to identify and contain any isolated international incidents before they affect local communities. The Territory is working with regional partners to ensure any potential cases are rapidly detected and investigated (Ministry release; VINO).
Dr Georges addressed rising public anxiety and the spread of misinformation on social media. During the Health Bytes discussion he offered tips for evaluating forwarded messages and videos: check whether the person or entity sharing information is identified and affiliated with a reputable source, and be sceptical of sensational claims designed to inflame or mislead.
He urged residents to rely on official updates from WHO, PAHO and CARPHA rather than unverified online posts (VINO; BVI News). The CMO also reminded the public that the Territory has previously managed other vector-borne and rodent-related health concerns — such as dengue, chikungunya and leptospirosis — and that the same principles of environmental management and prevention apply.
Improved garbage management and proactive rodent control reduce the risk of multiple diseases (BVI News). Overall the message from health officials is calm and practical: remain observant, take basic precautions against rodents, avoid circulating unverified reports, and contact health authorities if you notice unusual clusters of illness.
Authorities will continue to monitor the international investigation and provide updates through official channels as more information becomes available (VINO; BVI News).
Primary source: VINO