Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition is reinforcing national Ebola preparedness systems in collaboration with regional health agencies and local stakeholders, following the World Health Organization’s declaration of a public health emergency of international concern linked to ongoing outbreaks in parts of Africa.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sharon Belmar-George, outlined the global and regional situation, stressing the importance of heightened vigilance despite the Caribbean being assessed as low risk at present.
“On May 17, 2026, the World Health Organization declared the ongoing Ebola virus disease outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, a public health emergency of international concern, under the International Health Regulations 2005,” she said.
Dr Belmar-George explained that the declaration signals the need for coordinated international action, particularly in regions experiencing instability.
“The declaration of a public health emergency of international concern underscores the need for heightened international and regional vigilance and coordination, especially given the current situation in conflict-affected regions with limited access to health care services,” she said. “Although at present this event is not classified as a pandemic, coordinated international action is required.”
She provided updated figures from affected countries, noting continued transmission and fatalities.
“On June 23, the Democratic Republic of the Congo Ministry of Health reported a cumulative total of 1,094 confirmed Ebola virus disease cases, including 277 confirmed deaths and 387 individuals hospitalized in isolation as of June 22,” she stated. “This represents an increase of 46 confirmed cases and 10 deaths since the previous update published.”
Dr Belmar-George also highlighted emerging international cases linked to travel from affected regions.
“As of June 24, Uganda reported a total of 20 confirmed Ebola virus disease cases, including two deaths,” she said. “On June 24, the French Ministry of Health reported one confirmed case of Ebola virus disease in France.”
She further noted earlier cases outside the region.
“Previously, only one other confirmed case outside the affected region had been reported, that is on May 19, a United States citizen who was medically evacuated to Germany for treatment,” she said. “Both cases were imported from areas affected by the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
While the risk to the Caribbean remains low, Dr Belmar-George said the region must not become complacent due to its strong international travel links.
“The current risk to the Caribbean is still assessed by CARPHA as low,” she said. “However, given the region’s high connectivity through international travel and direct flights into the region, strengthening of our national surveillance system and preparedness is important.”
She noted that Saint Lucia’s health leadership is actively engaged in regional coordination efforts to improve emergency preparedness and response.
“The Chief Medical Officer, the National Epidemiologist and the Laboratory Director attended CARPHA’s Joint Regional Health Security and Regional Coordinating Mechanism for Health Security meeting in Trinidad and Tobago from June 9 to 11, 2026,” she explained. “This meeting served to advance regional coordination and collaboration for emergency response and prevention, preparedness and response, surveillance and data sharing.”
Dr Belmar-George emphasized that effective outbreak control depends on collective regional action.
“The effective regional health coordination requires a coordinated, collaborative approach among member states and partners to protect the health of their local and visitor populations and mitigate health threats such as infectious diseases and pandemics,” she said.
The Ministry has also expanded national preparedness measures through strengthened collaboration with hospitals, frontline agencies and key sectors.
“The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition continues to strengthen the National Ebola Plans in collaboration with the hospitals and health stakeholders,” she said.
She confirmed that training and sensitization sessions have already been conducted across multiple sectors, including frontline and border control agencies.
“Sensitization and training have been held with healthcare workers, education, tourism, the business sector, immigration, customs and SLASPA,” Dr Belmar-George said.
She added that border control systems are being reinforced to ensure early detection and response.
“Interventions continue to strengthen the ports of entry to support timely identification, reporting and management of travelers who may have been exposed to Ebola virus disease or traveled from affected countries within the previous 21 days.”
According to the Ministry, laboratory capacity within the region has also been upgraded to support faster diagnosis and coordinated response.
“The CARFA Regional Referral Lab has now received the capacity to test for Ebola viruses and has coordinated transportation of suspected case specimens on behalf of member states,” she said.
Public health authorities have also reinforced travel and quarantine advisories for individuals coming from high-risk regions.
“As per Travel Advisory for St. Lucia, the public is advised against travel to high-risk regions and persons who travel into country from the defined high-risk regions will be placed on 21-day home quarantine,” Dr Belmar-George stated.
She further confirmed that Saint Lucia has already identified dedicated treatment facilities should suspected or confirmed cases arise.
“A 15-room isolation ward and a 12-bed management ward has been identified in the event cases are suspected, diagnosed or detected on island,” she said.
The Ministry of Health says it continues to closely monitor developments in coordination with regional and international partners, as it maintains a focus on prevention, early detection and preparedness.