CARPHA Says Ebola Risk to Caribbean Low

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) says the risk of Ebola reaching the Caribbean remains low, but is calling on member states to stay on high alert following the World Health Organization’s declaration of a global health emergency over an ongoing outbreak in Africa.

WHO declared the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 16th. CARPHA issued its regional assessment three days later from its Port of Spain headquarters.

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are no licensed vaccines or specific treatments. The strain historically carries a lower fatality rate than some other Ebola variants but still causes severe illness. Transmission requires close, direct physical contact with the bodily fluids of a symptomatic infected person or contaminated materials.

CARPHA Executive Director Dr. Lisa Indar said the Caribbean’s status as a major global travel hub is the primary concern. “The primary way the virus could arrive is through an infected traveler,” she said. “CARPHA provides a layered, yet proactive approach to early warning, supporting member states in the early detection, verification, and response to emerging health threats.”

The agency is monitoring the outbreak through several regional surveillance tools including the Tourism and Health Information System, the Caribbean Vessel Surveillance System, national syndromic surveillance through the District Health Information System, and the Talkwalker social listening platform.

On May 18th, CARPHA partnered with the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security to reactivate an advanced electronic screening system at border entry points. The system is designed to flag and review the travel history of passengers arriving from or transiting through affected areas in Africa without disrupting normal travel and trade.

Ebola symptoms appear between two and 21 days after exposure and include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, fatigue, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and in some cases unexplained bleeding or bruising. A person becomes infectious once symptoms develop.