Individuals currently suffering from respiratory illnesses are more likely to be infected with influenza or COVID-19, the two types of respiratory viruses that have been most prevalent in the country in recent weeks.

Among mosquito-borne diseases, malaria continues to be the most prevalent in the Dominican population, with 435 suspected cases and 12 confirmed cases detected in the first week of June, bringing the total number of suspected cases and 387 confirmed cases so far this year to 13,359.

According to the report for epidemiological week 23, which covers the first seven days of June, 72 samples of respiratory viruses were processed at the Dr. Defilló National Reference Laboratory in Public Health, identifying the circulation of Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09, SARS-CoV-2, and Parainfluenza.

The positivity rates were 4.4% for influenza, 2.9% for SARS-CoV-2 (the COVID-19 virus), and 4.3% for other respiratory viruses. In contrast, no positive cases of syncytial virus (RSV) were reported, the report states, which also highlights that these results indicate the presence of different respiratory viral agents in the population, underscoring the importance of maintaining active and sustained surveillance.

A lot of hygiene

The Ministry of Public Health (MSP) reports that it continues to implement comprehensive measures to reduce the transmission of respiratory diseases, prioritizing early detection, timely treatment, and effective control.

Additionally, the public is reminded to maintain frequent hand washing, wear masks when around people with symptoms, and disinfect surfaces to prevent outbreaks. They are also encouraged to seek medical attention if they experience respiratory problems or other health conditions.

Regarding sentinel surveillance for acute respiratory infections (ARIs), it is reported that 25 suspected cases were reported in the last week, with no confirmed cases, for a cumulative total of 676 suspected cases and 99 confirmed cases so far this year.

Of the total confirmed cases, 76% were in children under 10 years of age. Acute respiratory infection manifests with the sudden onset of a fever of 38°C or higher and respiratory symptoms in the previous 10 days. It can progress to respiratory distress, seizures, or ventilatory failure, which, without prompt intervention, can lead to death.

12 confirmed cases

During the first week of June, the epidemiological surveillance system confirmed 12 cases of malaria and one case of dengue.

Regarding malaria, it is noteworthy that 435 suspected cases and 12 confirmed cases have been reported, bringing the cumulative total to 13,359 suspected cases and 387 confirmed cases so far this year. According to the Ministry of Public Health, this represents a significant reduction compared to the same period in 2024, with a 33% decrease in confirmed cases.

The report indicates that 31.5% of confirmed malaria cases in the Dominican Republic are Haitian, which has prompted increased active case-finding in migrant and agricultural communities.

The Ministry of Public Health reports that it is strengthening strategies for early detection, timely treatment, and vector control to advance the elimination of diseases. These efforts aim to create an effective and sustained response to eradicate malaria in the country.

Dengue on the decline

Between January 1 and January 7, 38 suspected cases of dengue fever were reported, along with one confirmed case, for a total of 947 suspected cases and 120 confirmed cases so far this year.

The report indicates that, compared to the same period in 2024, there was an 88.1% decrease in suspected cases and an 87% decrease in confirmed cases, reflecting a significant reduction in the incidence of the disease.

As of epidemiological week 20 of 2025, the Region of the Americas reported 2,902,500 suspected cases of dengue, with a cumulative incidence of 286 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. This figure represents a 71% decrease compared to the same period in 2024 and a 13% decrease compared to the average of the previous five years.

Leptospirosis

Another disease under surveillance is leptospirosis, which is transmitted by a bacterium that infects humans when they come into contact with the urine of infected animals and are exposed to contaminated water.

In the country, during epidemiological week 23, three suspected cases of leptospirosis were reported, bringing the total to 205 suspected cases and 23 confirmed cases for the first six months of the year.

27%, or approximately 55 cases, are patients of Haitian nationality, and 73%, or approximately 149 cases, are Dominicans.

Among the prevention strategies being developed by the Ministry of Health are rodent control and sanitation measures, including improving access to drinking water, reducing exposure to stagnant water, and promoting good hygiene practices. Animal vaccination campaigns are also being conducted, particularly in areas where livestock can serve as a reservoir for the Leptospira bacteria.

A pioneering partnership between the University of the West Indies (UWI) and global pharmaceutical firm EarlyHealth Group (EHG) is set to transform the diagnosis and treatment of inherited diseases across the Caribbean, offering new hope to thousands living with conditions such as sickle cell anaemia, certain cancers and metabolic disorders.

The two organisations have joined forces to enhance clinical research and genetic testing in the region, with a focus on identifying the root causes of illnesses that disproportionately affect Caribbean people.

The initiative will also support the development of a biobank – a large repository of genetic material – to help scientists study how these diseases impact people of Caribbean descent.

Dr Damian Cohall, UWI Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, described the partnership as a significant step in building the region’s capacity for health research.

“EarlyHealth will not only support upgrades to our labs and help with regulatory training, but also give our researchers more tools to conduct studies that matter to our people,” Cohall said.

Shaquille Williams, EHG’s director of business development for the Caribbean, said the company was eager to work with UWI to open up new opportunities.

“We’re bringing our global network to support the research that UWI is already doing so well, and to help push Caribbean health priorities forward,” he said.

The partnership was supported by the Barbados Embassy in the United Arab Emirates and is being seen as an example of how international cooperation can help small countries tackle major health challenges.

The long-term goal is to improve diagnosis and treatment through precision medicine, officials said, describing it as an approach that uses genetic information to guide healthcare decisions.

They further expressed hopes that the partnership and the initiative will position Barbados and the wider region as contributors to global medical research. (SM)

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The report, issued by the Epidemiology Department (DIEPI), indicates that 72 samples were processed at the Dr. Defilló National Public Health Reference Laboratory and tested negative for common respiratory viruses, including influenza A (H1N1) pdm09, SARS-CoV-2, and parainfluenza.

There were also no new cases of leptospirosis, cholera, or COVID-19.

Regarding dengue, one confirmed case was reported. The total for the year reaches 120 confirmed cases, representing a decrease of 88.1%. There is no epidemiological alert for dengue in 2025. It is a viral disease transmitted through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Dengue is an endemic disease, with the highest incidence among children. It is recommended to keep water containers covered and avoid accumulating them in residential yards.

Malaria and Leptospirosis

Twelve positive malaria cases were reported, a 33% reduction in confirmed cases. Regarding leptospirosis, no new cases were reported this week. These are notifiable diseases monitored by the Directorate of Epidemiology.

Mortality

Three maternal deaths were reported (two Dominicans and one Haitian), for a cumulative total of 78. Regarding infant deaths, 21 were recorded, which represents a decrease compared to the 38 reported in the same epidemiological week of 2024.

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Santo Domingo.- In 2024, the Dominican Republic became the third-largest Caribbean country sending patients to Medellín, Colombia, for medical tourism, drawn by the city’s high-quality specialized healthcare. According to the International Patient Care report by the Medellín Health City Cluster, 125 Dominicans traveled there for services such as diagnostics, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, and lab testing. Only Curaçao (1,344) and Aruba (1,019) sent more Caribbean patients.

Overall, Medellín treated 23,323 international patients in 2024—an all-time high since tracking began in 2010—averaging 64 patients per day. The city attracted people from a wide range of countries, with most patients coming from the U.S. (3,859), followed by Colombia, Caribbean nations, the Netherlands, and Panama. The largest age groups were between 30 and 60 years old, indicating strong demand for midlife and preventative care services.

The healthcare sector in Medellín generated over 64 billion Colombian pesos in revenue in 2024, with an economic impact of nearly 45.5 billion pesos. More than 65% of services were paid privately. Beyond healthcare, tourism-related industries such as lodging, food, and transport also saw significant benefits. The Medellín Health City Cluster, active for 16 years, aims to position the city as a regional leader in medical tourism while also addressing broader health and social inclusion challenges.

Santo Domingo.- Attorney Anderson Montero publicly condemned the Dominican Republic’s healthcare system after a distressing personal experience that he described as “painfully real.” In a social media post, Montero recounted the desperate search for blood for a critically ill family member—only to be denied assistance without explanation.

Montero explained that a local blood bank refused to provide the blood, claiming it was “reserved,” and offered no alternatives. However, when he returned after contacting a powerful acquaintance, he received the needed help from the very same staff member who had previously turned him away. The incident, which occurred at the Dominican Red Cross and Plaza de la Salud, highlights how access to life-saving services can depend on personal connections rather than medical need.

Deeply troubled, Montero called for a comprehensive review of the nation’s healthcare system, criticizing what he sees as a system dominated by favoritism and influence. “If this happens to me, someone with some connections, imagine those who have no one. It’s a disgrace,” he said, concluding, “This is our country. And it hurts.”

Thirty-six students from The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus are now officially doctors after completing the five-year medical programme with the best results in recent years.

The new graduates took the Hippocratic Oath on Thursday during a ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Auditorium.

Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Dr. Damian Cohall, said 36 of the 37 students passed the final clinical exams, while another was granted a medical exemption.

Fourteen earned honours and four received distinctions, figures he described as among the highest the faculty has seen in the last five years. (SM)

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Barbadians now have a new comprehensive healthcare option with the opening of Bayview Laboratory at the new Bayview Urgent Care. Previously located on George Street in Belleville, Bayview Lab has joined its sister companies, Diagnostic Radiology Services and Bayview Hospital, to provide complete, patient-centered care under one roof.

Bayview Urgent Care, along with its laboratory and diagnostic radiology departments, is now open to the public with phased operating hours. In June, it will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., extending to midnight in July and transitioning to a full 24-hour service by August.

Well known across Barbados for its HPV and STI-4 self-collection kits, Bayview Lab has expanded its diagnostic capabilities to include a broad range of new tests. These include liver and kidney function tests, prenatal and thyroid panels, as well as screenings for colorectal, ovarian, prostate, and other types of cancer. In addition, the laboratory has enhanced its STI testing services to screen for Hepatitis B and C, Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2, Syphilis, and HIV (including both antibody and antigen testing).

Medical Laboratory Director, Dr Lyndon Waterman, described this expansion as phase one of the lab’s broader rollout.

“Our goal is to serve as a comprehensive health partner by equipping physicians with the diagnostic tools they need to provide exceptional care. As part of this effort, we will be introducing phlebotomy services starting July 1, 2025, allowing walk-in patients to access lab services more easily,” he explained.

At the official opening ceremony of Bayview Urgent Care, Hospital Administrator Jules Reid announced a significant new partnership between Bayview Labs and the international genetics firm, CariGenetics.

“We are thrilled to announce that Bayview Labs has partnered with CariGenetics to offer advanced genetic testing. With these tests, you will have access to Paternity tests, a cancer risk profile, your risk for developing kidney disease, and also a drug profile that guides your clinical team as to which medications will work best for you. These can be especially helpful for supporting mental health.”

Bayview Laboratory’s new home at Bayview Urgent Care marks an essential step in making quality healthcare more accessible to the community. With extended operating hours, a wider range of tests available and exciting new partnerships, the lab is ensuring that Barbadians have access to the quality healthcare they need, when they need it most.

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The theme this year is Addressing Abuse of Older Adults in Long Term Care Facilities: Through Data and Action

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