Antigua
, Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin
Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican
Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica,
Martinique, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto
Rico, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent,
Grenadines,Trinidad, Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Virgin
Islands (USA)
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ON TOPICS BELOW:
Health
Risks
Diseases
from Insects
Diseases
from Water and Food
Other
Diseases
Swimming
in Unknown Waters
Spraying
of Airplanes
To
Reduce Risks
Precautionary
Measures
Things
to Do to Reduce Risk
Things
to Bring to Lower Risk
Links
to Travel Risk Advisories
Want
a carefree and worry free vacation in the
Caribbean ?
While
we promote the Florida Keys, if you really have your
heart set on going to the "other" Caribbean islands or
to Latin America , we've provided some helpful
suggestions for travelers to make their travel a safer
and satisfying experience.
We
have travelled to Central America and visited a number
of the "other" Caribbean islands. Caribbean
destinations offer great beauty and a change of pace
for the seasoned traveler. If you plan to stay at a
resort you should have no problem. Such self-contained
resorts offer their own security, restaurants, and
swimming pools.
Be
mindful that in the Caribbean health risks are
different from those encountered in Europe or the USA.
Don't let those picturesque islands and beautiful
beaches loll you into a state of euphoria.
Infectious
disease problems still predominate in most of the
Caribbean islands. Their severity varies between town
and rural areas and from island to island. Each
island's state of economic development and the
attention paid to public health also is a critical
factor. Plan ahead, take the proper precautions, and
you should remain as healthy as you do at home. There
are few hard and fast rules, however so be prepared to
make judgments on your own as to the healthiness or
otherwise in different situations and
surroundings.
If
you plan to travel about , such traveling around is
not "worry free." A review of the information at the
State Department link below advises United States
citizens too maintain a low profile and practice
safety precautions. For many destinations they warn of
petty theft and on some islands they caution against
use of personal credit cards because of wide spread
fraud. The also advise that ATM machines should be
used with caution.
The
CDC Center for Disease Control and Prevention cautions
against drinking tap water throughout most of the
Caribbean. Drinking bottled beverages will give you
peace of mind. Some seasoned travelers use bottled
water when brushing their teeth as an added preventive
measure.
All
health and safety risks listed below come from
recognized medical advisories. A link to the advisory
posted by the United States Government Center for
Disease Control for Caribbean travel can be found
under Links to Travel Risk Advisories. Below is a
rundown of some of the health problems you may
encounter in the Caribbean and Latin America and how
you should prepare for them.
Diseases
from Insects
Malaria
risk from mosquito bites for travelers in rural parts
of the Dominican Republic and in all of Haiti. No risk
in other Caribbean islands. Oral anti malaria
medication is extremely effective. An additional
measure is to use an insect repellent since malaria is
transmitted by mosquitoes.
Leishmaniasis
and filariasis, Orapouche Virus and typhus are
diseases carried by insects ( mosquitos, sand flies,
gnats, midges, and lice ) that are prevalent in the
Caribbean in country areas. Leishmaniasis has been
discovered in the Dominican Republic. Bancroftian
filariasis occurs in Haiti and some other islands and
other filariases are occasionally found.
Human
fascioliasis due to Fasciola hepatica is endemic
in Cuba.
Dengue
Fever - Outbreaks of dengue fever occur in most
tourist -oriented islands of the Caribbean, and dengue
hemorrhagic fever has also occurred. Usually a low
level of risk of transmission for tourists, but
seasonal and sporadic epidemic periods frequently
occur where risk of transmission is higher.
Yellow
Fever cases have occurred in Trinidad and Tobago.
Center for Disease Control recommend tourists to these
islands have a yellow fever vaccination.
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Diseases
from Water and Food
Diarrhea
- For travelers of the Caribbean, the number one
cause of illness is Traveler's Diarrhea. Caused by a
variety of means: parasitic infection, bacteria, or
viruses, travelers in the Caribbean are at risk if
they come in contact with unsafe drinking water or
food.
Typhoid
Fever - Travelers are at risk especially if
traveling rural areas, small village or
cities.
Hepatitis
A - high risk particularly in the northern islands
. In Central America and Mexico Hepatitis is a
concern, but is preventable with a vaccine. It is
transmitted by person to person contact or through
contaminated water or ice or shell fish harvested from
contaminated water. Eating fruits, vegetables or other
foods contaminated during harvest or handling also
causes hepatitis.
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Other
Diseases
Schistosomiasis
contacted when swimming in fresh water is known to
exist in Antiqua, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic,
Martinique, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, and Saint Lucia.
It also has occurred sporadically in other Caribbean
islands.
Rabies
- Many Caribbean islands have had no reported
cases for years. Island with a risk of rabies
infection are Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago. Haiti,
Granada, Cuba, and Dominican Republic. Risk increases
with length of stay. Rabies is found in areas with
caves where bats reside and in rural areas where bats
come in contact with dogs.
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Swimming
in Unknown Waters
Avoid
unknown beaches where there is a risk of underwater
hazards such as spiny sea urchins and coelenterates
(corals and jellyfish) , and sea lice. Deserted
beaches are appealing but risky as they are
unprotected. Quiet beaches may indicate dangerous
tides or harmful algal blooms.
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Spraying
of Airplanes
The
Caribbean destinations of Jamaica , St. Lucia,
Barbados, Antiqua, Trinidad, and Grenada require
spraying of insecticide on the plane while passengers
are on board.
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Precautionary
Measures Involving Food and Water
Eat
only cooked food, and vegetables.
Only eat fruits you have peeled yourself.
Don't drink or eat dairy product unless
pasteurized.
Do not eat raw shell fish or undercooked meat or
beef.
Pay attention to quality of water.
Drink only bottled water or boiled water,.
Drink only canned or bottled carbonated products or
beer.
Don't drink beverages with ice.
Don't eat food from local street vendors.
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Things
to Do to Reduce Risk
Wash
hands often with soap and water
Don't handle animals - monkeys, dogs, and cats
Do not go barefoot to avoid parasitic and fungal
infections.
Keep foot clean and dry.
Protect yourself from insect bites.
Consider a tetanus booster
Have a dose of hepatitis "A" vaccine or Immune
Globulin.
Depending on health, activities and locations to be
visited consider
---- vaccines for Hepatitis B, Yellow Fever, Typhoid,
and Rabies.
Normal "childhood" vaccines should be
updated.
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Things
to Bring to Lower the Risk of Sickness
Insect
repellent containing Deet.
Insect netting if not staying in air conditioned or
screened housing.
Long pants and long sleeved shirts .
Anti-diarrheal medicine purchased over the
counter.
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Travel
Links on Risks to Caribbean Travelers
Center
for Disease Control Caribbean
Travel
USA
State Department Travel Advisories
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