A cross-sectional serological study of bats in the United States Virgin Islands during 2019 to 2020 reveals no evidence of rabies virus exposure

Bats are a known reservoir of rabies virus in 10 Caribbean nations. A cross-sectional survey of five species of native bats on U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas was performed during September 2019–January 2020. Serological testing was used to determine whether native bat populations have been exposed to rabies virus. Bats (n = 72) from seven sampling locations in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) all tested negative for rabies neutralizing antibodies. The sensitivity of detection of rabies virus antibodies ranged from 49.4% to 100%, depending on geography, bat species clustering, and presumed prevalence. A previous rabies cross-sectional survey conducted during 2019–2020 led by the USVI Department of Health determined freedom-from-rabies for small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata) populations in U.S. Virgin Islands. These findings, along with a historical absence of rabies detections in passive surveillance of dogs, cats, and wildlife, supports an evidence base that USVI may be rabies-free. These surveillance activities built local One Health capacity and fostered federal, university, and territory collaboration in USVI. Continued surveillance will help determine a declaration of rabies freedom for USVI.