The International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) notified WHO about the first human case, a child, of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Barbados on September 13rd, 2024. In recent months, on 16 June, six days after the start of syntoms, the child was admitted to hospital because the situation was deteriorating, the result was negative to some pathogens from the cerebrospinal fluid analysis done, and the situation was worsening despite medical treatment. On September 4th, WNV has been finally confirmed after tests conducted on blood samples received the day before by Mayo Clinic in the USA. As reported, the child is recovering under medical care. The child reported multiple contacts with horses, both by visiting a stable and a beach in February and June 2024, so exposure to these animals is considered a risk factor for contracting WNV, but the exact source of infection is not known. Health authorities are constantly monitoring the situation and no other cases of WNV have been detected.
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October 3, 2024
