Caribbean

Barbados

Barbados is an independent island nation in the Caribbean with a moderately developed economy. The capital is Bridgetown. Facilities for tourism are widely available.

CRIME: Crime in Barbados is characterized by petty theft and street crime, but the incidence of violent crime appears to be on the rise. There has been an increase of robbery of tourists, including armed robbery, and visitors to Barbados should be especially vigilant on the beaches at night. Valuables left in plain sight inside vehicles make tempting targets for criminals. Automobile theft also occurs with some frequency.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care is generally good, but medical transport can take hours to respond, and ambulance attendants are prohibited from applying life-saving techniques during transport. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Arthropod borne diseases:

• Dengue Fever

We recommend:

• Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
• Usage of insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing
• Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
• Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses

Water- or food borne diseases:

• ETEC (E.coli)
• Travellers diarrhoea
• Hepatitis A
• Amoebiasis

Other diseases:

• Hepatitis B

Vaccination recommendation:

• Yellow fever - entering from an endemic region
• Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin
• Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
• Typhoid fever - vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
• Rabies - if risk for contact with wild or domestic animals
• A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within the last 10 years.

Stay healthy:

• Wash hands often with soap and water.
• Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
• Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
• Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
• Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
• Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
• Do not travel at night
• Trafic accidents are frequent, be careful
• Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
• Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.

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Updated 17-Jul-2003 • İtraveldoctorOnline 2001 • Disclaimer • webmaster

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