The Ministry of Health and Wellness advises that the current risk of Ebola Virus Disease to Barbados remains low, including any risk associated with travel from Nigeria, which has reported no cases.

Recent international concern has been driven by Ebola activity in parts of Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with limited cases in Uganda and heightened concern in conflict-affected South Sudan due to weaker surveillance and response systems. However, Barbados has no direct travel links with affected countries.

Public concern has largely centred on the Air Peace service from Lagos, Nigeria. Health officials emphasise that Nigeria is not affected and has no direct travel links to current outbreak areas.

Ebola transmission occurs through direct contact with bodily fluids of symptomatic individuals, with increased risk in close-contact settings, including care of the ill or deceased.

Barbados has already implemented key preparedness measures, including:

• Enhanced screening at ports of entry, with airport and port health staff sensitised
• Use of advance passenger intelligence systems through CARPHA and IMPACS
• Established monitoring and quarantine protocols for higher-risk travellers
• Ongoing coordination with regional and international partners, including CARPHA, PAHO, and WHO

Healthcare workers are expected to continue to employ standard infection control and prevention measures.

Travellers assessed as higher risk may be monitored or quarantined, even if asymptomatic, to facilitate early detection of and response to potential infectious diseases. Public health officials will remain in close contact with such individuals during the incubation period.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness will engage the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners by the end of this week to provide guidance and address concerns raised by its members.

This reflects a deliberate approach grounded in an abundance of caution, with continued vigilance across all levels of the health system. The Ministry will continue to monitor the global situation closely and provide updates as necessary. Barbados remains prepared to respond effectively.

Ministry of Health and Wellness