Caribbean

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has a developing economy. Tourist facilities vary according to price and location. The capital is Santo Domingo.

CRIME: Petty street crime does occur, and normal precautions should be taken.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care is limited, especially outside Santo Domingo. Within Santo Domingo, there is an emergency 911 service, but outside the capital, emergency services are extremely limited. A private nationwide ambulance service, "Movi-med", operates out of Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata and La Romana, telephone 532-0000 in Santo Domingo, 1-200-0911 outside Santo Domingo.

Arthropodborne diseases:

• Malaria in rural areas in western provinces ( Castanuelas, Hondo Valle and Pepillo Sacedo )
• Leishmaniasis
• 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- and foodborne diseases:

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

Other diseases:

• Hepatitis B
• Schistosomiasis ( bilharziasis )

Vaccinations we recommend:

• Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin
• Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
• Typhoid fever - Typhoid 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 th last 10 years.

Prevent illness by:

• 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.
• Use chloroquine as malaria prophylaxis in risk areas

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