Aruba (Netherlands)

VACCINATIONS, SPECIFIC RISKS AND REQUIREMENTS

Mandatory Vaccinations
• YELLOW FEVER : Vaccination is required only if arriving within 6 days after leaving or transiting yellow fever infected areas.
Recommanded vaccinations
• For tourists : hepatitis B, poliomyelite, tetanos.
• For adventurous trips and long stays : hepatitis B, poliomyelite, tetanos.
Vaccinations update
• FOR ADULTS: Check that diphteriae-tetanus-poliomyelitis and hepatitis B vaccines are up-dated.
• FOR CHILDREN: Check that their vaccinations are up-dated (diphteriae, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles...).
Warning !
• Vaccines are useful and effective. However, they are sometimes contra-indicated.
• Always consult a physician.
• Please note that a period up to 8 weeks can be necessary to carry out vaccinations.

MALARIA

No malaria in this country.

HEALTH GENERAL MEASURES

Food and drinking water :

TO AVOID IN PARTICULAR: turista, diarrhoea of traveller.
- Wash your hands before meals and after going to the toilet.
- Eat meat, fish and shellfish well cooked.
- Avoid raw vegetables and fruit without peel.
- Peel other fruits and vegetables before eating them.
- Drink at least 2 litres (4.5 pints) of water (of good quality) every day.
- Use for all drinks or preparations containing water: mineral water in stoppered bottles, boiled water, filtered water or chemically treated water.
- Do not eat ice-creams or sorbets sold by street vendors.
- Note that the risk of contracting an infection by cleaning your teeth in tap water is minimal.
- However, if the water is "doubtful" it is preferable to use treated water.


Bathing water, mud and sand :

TO AVOID IN PARTICULAR: cutaneous larva migrans.
- Do not forget that hydrocution (immersion syncope) and drowning constitute the major risks associated with bathing.
- Do not bathe just anywhere because water is an excellent carrier of microbes, and remember that clear water is not necessarily clean.
- Mud and sand can contain parasite larvae.
- To avoid Cutaneous Larva Migrans (larbish), do not:
- sun-bath lying directly on the sand
- walk with bare or insufficiently protected feet (particularly in sand or mud).


Mosquitoes and other insects:

TO AVOID IN PARTICULAR : dengue
- wear clothing that protects the whole body, including arms and legs.
- avoid going for walks at dusk.
- use insect repellent on parts of the body not covered by clothing.
BE CAREFUL ! Some repellents are contra-indicated for expectant mothers and children. Read instructions carefully.
- spray clothes with combinations of insecticides and repellents.
BE CAREFUL ! Do not spray on skin.
- kill or dispel insects using: insecticide aerosol sprays, slow-diffusing repellents and insecticides, anti-mosquito spirals, electric diffusers, ultrasound (not very effective) or UV electric traps (justified for long stays).
- sleep under mosquito-netting, preferably impregnated with insecticide.
- DDT (10%) powder is effective against lice, bedbugs and fleas. Read instructions carefully.


Risks from animals:

TO AVOID IN PARTICULAR: venom.
- watch where you walk and where you sit down, make a lot of noise when walking
- shake shoes and clothing before putting them on: scorpions and spiders appreciate the shelter they afford after a night hunting.
- wear boots or high-sided shoes. The trouser bottoms should be tight around the shins or ankles.
- take a torch with you at night.
- it is difficult to recommend that travellers should provide themselves with anti-venom sera for two main reasons : (i) the sera are specific for a given venom and may be of no use against the particular venom in question (ii) sera must be kept refrigerated, which is not always possible.


Sexual intercourse:

TO AVOID IN PARTICULAR: hepatitis B, HIV.
- Condom carrying is the best preventive measure to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.
- Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for those having sex with casual partners.

FIRST-AID KIT

Its contents may vary according to how you travel and your current health state.