Caribbean

Jamaica

Jamaica is a developing nation of approximately 2.5 million people. Facilities for tourists are widely available. International airports are located in Kingston and Montego Bay.

CRIME: Crime is a serious problem in Jamaica, particularly in Kingston.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care is limited compared to the western standards. While public hospitals are located in each parish, comprehensive emergency medical services are available only in Kingston and Montego Bay. Emergency medical and ambulance services are not as widely available in outlying parishes, and ambulance service is limited both in the quality of emergency care and in the availability of vehicles in remote parts of the country.

Arthropodborne 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 og 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:

• Traveller's Diarrhoae
• ETEC (E.coli)
• Hepatitis A
• Amoebiasis

Other diseases:

• Hepatitis B

Vaccination recommendation:

• 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 animals
• A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years.
• Yellow fever when entering from a yellow fever region.

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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