Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Virgin Islanders called on to be vigilant rather than worried - Ronald E. Georges

Chief Medical Officer in the Virgin Islands, Dr Ronald E. Georges, has urged residents to be vigilant rather than worried, as the hantavirus remains a low risk in the Caribbean. Photo: Facebook
Chief Medical Officer in the Virgin Islands, Dr Ronald E. Georges, pointed out that human-to-human transmission of hantavirus is minimal. Photo: Internet Source
Chief Medical Officer in the Virgin Islands, Dr Ronald E. Georges, pointed out that human-to-human transmission of hantavirus is minimal. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Chief Medical Officer in the Virgin Islands, Dr Ronald E. Georges, has urged residents to be vigilant rather than worried, as the hantavirus remains a low risk in the Caribbean.

In a GIS Report on Friday, May 22, 2026, during the segment 'Health Bytes', Dr Georges emphasised, “In the Virgin Islands specifically, and in the wider Caribbean, the risk is very, very low. It's not a disease that we've seen in the Caribbean, to any extent.”

He pointed out that human-to-human transmission of hantavirus is minimal, stating, “When you look at how it's transmitted, most of the transmission is directly from rats to humans. There's some very, very small possibility of human-to-human transmission.”

Hantavirus is not like COVID-19

Dr Georges stated that hantavirus is not like other diseases, such as COVID-19, which spreads efficiently from person to person. 

He stated, “So what I would say is not necessarily to be worried. But to be vigilant.”

The Chief Medical Officer also encouraged Virgin Islanders to ensure that any information they receive comes from reputable sources. The region's primary health agencies actively monitor maritime arrivals using advanced surveillance to prevent any spread from isolated international incidents. 

7 Responses to “Virgin Islanders called on to be vigilant rather than worried - Ronald E. Georges”

  • Raw and Unfiltered (23/05/2026, 14:31) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    On this issue, I have to take a different view from the good, well meaning doctor..Of course BVI residents should be both vigilant and worried, taking an abundance of caution. The Hantavirus may not be COVID but it is a bad feeling when we don’t know what we don’t know. Yall, let’s take a ton of caution. In the early COVID some viewed it as similar to the flu. However, it turned out to be a once in a century pandemic. There are still skeptics but COVID was/is real. Those who didn’t get vaccinated benefited from herd immunity developed from millions,,billions,,who took the vaccines. I digressed. Let’s protect ourselves from this Hunta virus. Thousands of diffrent people visit the BVI shores to enjoy the warmth of BVI people, the sand,,sea and sun,,breath taking views,historical sites, etc.
    • Worry yes (24/05/2026, 07:35) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Just like COVID, the Haunta virus is listed on the Lysol can. It's not new and can rise up.just.like COVID did. Worry and take precaution.
  • Anonymous (23/05/2026, 17:36) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The people of the bvi needs a break!!!
  • %100 raise (23/05/2026, 18:23) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Don't have time to read about what this vaccine pusher said.
  • Fran (23/05/2026, 23:18) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you have rats around your house, put poison everywhere you see them travel in your home. Kill them quickly and make sure you wash your hands after touching the poison. We should all be safe.
  • Doll (24/05/2026, 17:01) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The good old Doc means well but this Disease can easily spread amongst humans. There has been cases of human to human transmission. What do you think happened on that Cruise ship? We in the Caribbean should remain extremely cautious. Next month, there will be a huge amount of persons travelling from all over the World, including VI to St. Kitts to celebrate Music Fest. What do we expect will happen? When music, alcohol and dtugs mix, every caution is thrown to the wind. The innocent will end up paying for these people guilty pleasures. Will persons be safeguarded whilst travelling on Airplanes or even boats? What measures, if any will be put in place for persons travelling back from the Federation of St. Christopher & Nevis? I truly hope the good Doctor and his team do not become reactive but will be proactive to ensure our populace remains healthy and safe. Our population has a high incidence of morbidity issues. Lets not repeat another Covid where too many of our loved ones succombed when they didn't have to. On another note, what about the emergence of the new type of Ebola, most fittingly called Bundibugyo virus, where currently there's no vaccine as of yet. The very effective Ervebo vaccine was deemed not able to help combat this new type of Ebola. Therefore, has the Chief Medical Doctor made any recommendations to our Health Minister and the Ministry of Health to be dessimenated to the VI population? We need answers and its best that they be given today not when we are faced with the reality of any of these Diseases being spread amongst our communities. Lets hold each other accountable and y'all be safe out there. May God continue to bless these Virgin Islands and all who call it their home.
  • king (24/05/2026, 20:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    All the supermarkets have rats and it's not today the restaurant and all the food vans ,and no one has gotten infected over the years. Enough people did not take the vaccine for covid , so they at it again. After the hurricane no one had doors and windows rats was all over the place yet still we are all safe ,but the medical community wants to con us into taking vaccines. When I see the word vaccine in the Bible then I would consider it, but I know it not in the Bible. Matthew 16:25 says for whosoever will save his life shall loseit: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it . He never said whosoever took the vaccine for my sake I will give them life. All around the world people ding and doctors dont tell their family the cause of death . The most common cause of death lately is blood clot. No one can tell how so many young people developing these blood clots it's the covid vaccine so many of them took. All those pushing this deadly vaccines there is a special place In hell for them.


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.