Dominican Republic

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• There is a risk of malaria all year long in rural areas of western Dominican Republic (regions of Castanuelas, Hondo Valle and Pepillo Salcedo). Outbreaks can also occasionnally occur outside these areas. Strains are not resistant to chloroquine (zone 1).
• There are episodically small outbreaks of dengue fever.
• There is a seasonal risk of ciguatera, or red tide; take advice from locals before eating seafood.
• Protect yourself carefully from sun and heat to avoid burns and sunstrokes.

FOOD SAFETY

• No specific risk.

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.
• Recommended chemoprophylaxis against malaria: chloroquine (commercial name: Nivaquine).

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Santo Domingo
• Clinica Abreu, Beller #42 esq. Av. Independencia, Gazcue: phone + 1 809 688 4411
• Hospiten Santo Domingo, Alma Mater esquina Bolivar: phone + 1 809 541 30 00, fax + 1 809 920 03 55



Higuey
• Hospiten Bavaro, Carretera Higuey - Punta Cana, Playa Bavaro: phone + 1 809 686 14 14, fax + 1 809 686 78 69
• Centro Medico Caribe Bavaro, Complejo Residencial Brisas Bavaro: phone + 1 809 552 1415, fax + 1 809 552 1744

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Emergencies : 911

CLIMATE

• The Dominican Republic has a tropical climate with year-round easterly winds. The hottest month is August; the coolest is February.
• The rainy season lasts from May to November in the south and December to April in the north.
• Hurricanes can occur between June and November, with the highest risk at the beginning of September.
• When to go: in December or between March and May.