The Virgin Islands Department of Health has published its 2025 Epidemiology Annual Report, offering residents a detailed look at disease patterns across the territory and the health agency’s response efforts over the past year.
For USVI residents, the report serves as a window into which health threats are circulating locally and what public health officials are doing to combat them. The document, now available on the Department of Health website, covers everything from communicable disease surveillance to emergency preparedness initiatives that directly affect community safety.
The Epidemiology Division operates as the eyes and ears of the territory’s public health system. Division staff track outbreaks, monitor disease trends, and coordinate responses to emerging health threats. The annual report translates that surveillance work into actionable information for the public.
Among the division’s focus areas in recent years have been vector-borne illnesses like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya—diseases spread by mosquitoes that flourish in the Caribbean climate. The territory also maintains ongoing monitoring of communicable diseases and foodborne illnesses, with dedicated portals available online for residents seeking real-time data.
The report documents how the department responds to disease clusters and public health emergencies. This includes vaccination efforts, outbreak investigations, and coordination with healthcare providers across St. Thomas, St. John, Water Island, St. Croix, and St. John.
Access to epidemiology data has become increasingly transparent. The department maintains a publicly viewable epidemiology data dashboard and a food and waterborne illness portal on its website, allowing residents to monitor disease activity themselves rather than waiting for annual summaries.
Such reports typically highlight successes achieved during the reporting period and identify gaps where resources or attention may be needed. For residents concerned about specific health threats—whether flu season, foodborne illness outbreaks, or mosquito-borne diseases—the annual report provides baseline information about local disease burden and departmental capacity to respond.
The Department of Health’s reporting structure includes multiple annual documents covering different aspects of public health, from vital statistics to chronic disease prevention initiatives. These reports are housed in a central reports and plans section of the department’s website, making them accessible to researchers, healthcare professionals, and the general public.
Understanding what diseases are circulating in the territory and how health officials are prepared to handle them helps residents make informed decisions about their own health and family safety.
