Government House briefing covered hand, foot and mouth disease cases, tsunami drill and policy updates

Government House said in a weekly briefing on St. Croix on March 18, 2025, that Health Department officials, VITEMA and Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach discussed hand, foot and mouth disease, measles vaccination, tsunami preparedness and several policy matters.

Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion and epidemiologist Dr. Esther Ellis said the U.S. Virgin Islands had recorded 255 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease, including five on St. Croix and none on St. John. The briefing said symptoms included fever, sore throat, and a rash on the hands and feet.

Officials also said measles vaccination rates in the territory were between 44% and 60%, below the 90% level cited in the briefing for herd immunity, amid concern about a measles outbreak in the mainland U.S.

VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen said Caribe Wave 2025, an international tsunami preparedness exercise, was scheduled for March 20, 2025, at 11 a.m. The exercise was to simulate an 8.6-magnitude earthquake off Portugal and test tsunami response systems, communications and evacuation procedures in the territory. Government House said a territorywide Emergency Alert System test also was planned for March 20.

Government House said tsunami town hall meetings were scheduled for March 24 on St. Thomas, March 25 on St. John and March 27 on St. Croix.

Roach said general and veterans homestead exemptions must be renewed every five years. Government House said an extension had been granted until March 2, 2026, for renewals covering the 2025 tax year, and first-time applicants could apply through March 16, 2025.

The briefing also said St. John's street addressing project had been completed, signs for St. Croix had been ordered and were being installed, and the St. Croix Recorder of Deeds office had been temporarily relocated to Caribe Home Center in Castle Coakley.

Government House also announced that Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. had renominated Judge Jessica Gallivan for another six-year term on St. Croix.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/government-house-weekly-briefing-highlights-public-health-tsunami-preparedness-and-policy-updates/