DOH Declares Dengue Outbreak on St. Croix

As of Monday, St. Croix had recorded two dengue cases in 2025. By Tuesday, that number had risen to 14, according to Dr. Esther Ellis, the Virgin Islands Health Department’s epidemiologist. She noted that one provider reported 12 cases, while the remaining two came from another source.

“Yes, this is an outbreak,” she told the Source.

Ellis said that within the last 12 months, there have been 51 cases on St. Croix, 39 reported on St. John and 105 for St. Thomas and Water Island. Dengue infections on St. Thomas, St. John, and Water Island reached their highest levels last August, while St. Croix has yet to do so. Ellis expects the number of cases to decline once that point is reached.

Dengue fever symptoms can vary from mild to severe and, in some cases, may be life-threatening. According to the DOH website, common symptoms include fever, pain behind the eyes, muscle, joint, or bone pain, nausea, vomiting, and rash. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should consult a doctor and undergo a blood test to confirm the presence of the virus.