Dominica

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• There are cases of dengue fever in the country.
• There is a risk of ciguatera (red tide), with important variations from one season to another.
• Protect yourself carefully from sun and heat to avoid sunstrokes and burns.
• Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
• Diarrheic diseases are frequent.

FOOD SAFETY

• Gastric diseases are common among tourists who are not accustomed to local food or who do not take precautions.
• Do not drink tap water and favor bottled mineral water, without ice ; avoid eating ice cream and sherbet.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked dishes, especially meat or fish. If possible, order hot dishes.
• Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
• Wash your hands carefully before each meal.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• Travellers entering the country from an endemic area are required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever.
Systematically:
• Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
• Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.



Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:
• Typhoid fever: if the stay is occurring in precarious hygiene condition. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
• Rabies: recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• Tuberculosis: in case of a long stay, it is recommended to have children immunized against tuberculosis as soon as they reach the age of one month, and against mumps, measles and rubella when they reach the age of nine months.

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

• Princess Margaret hospital emergencies (Roseau): phone + 1 767 448 22 31
• Granbay Hospital emergencies: phone + 1 767 446 37 06
• Marigot Hospital emergencies: phone + 1 767 445 70 91
• Portsmouth Hospital emergencies: phone + 1 767 445 52 37

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen / police / ambulances: 999

CLIMATE

• Temperatures are pleasant all year long.
• The rain season, in August and September, is marked by abundant rainfalls. Outside the dry season (January to May), there are only limited precipitations.
• September is the month of typhoons, which cause important damages on the island.
• When to go: between January and April.