Health Dept. Touts Data Modernization in 2025 Report; Lead and Wastewater Monitoring Remain Under Microscope

St. Croix Sun Staff

ST. CROIX — The Virgin Islands Department of Health (DOH) has released its 2025 Epidemiology Annual Report, a document that aims to balance a "modernized" approach to disease tracking with the persistent reality of endemic threats like Dengue and localized outbreaks of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.

Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion praised the transition to a cloud-based surveillance system, suggesting the Territory is becoming a "leader in innovation." However, for residents on the ground, the most critical data points in the report may lie in the surveillance of environmental hazards.

Key 2025 Statistics:

• Influenza: 378 confirmed cases.

• Dengue: 47 confirmed cases (a constant watch in the tropical climate).

• COVID-19: 140 cases with zero reported fatalities—a significant shift from the pandemic’s peak.

• The "Hidden" Metrics: The report highlights ongoing tracking of lead exposure and wastewater surveillance, programs that have gained heightened scrutiny following recent concerns over the Territory’s potable water infrastructure.

Territorial Epidemiologist Dr. Esther Ellis noted that "timely data" allows for targeted interventions. For the St. Croix Sun, the question remains whether this data will be used to influence infrastructure repairs or simply to monitor the decline of aging systems.

The full report is available for public review on the DOH website.