DutchJamaica.com

A few health tips...

Jamaica does have a few health risks. However, with a good preparation and a sensible personal hygiene these risks are no risks at all.

Water
Jamaica has a natural purification system, in the limestone base rainwater percolates. In most cases the water is save to drink. But, in some areas in the hills and mountains the quality of the water is doubtful because of poor sanitation conditions.
If you are not sure, or you are allergic to poor quality water, then don't take the risk and use bottled or boiled water. Bottled water is available everywhere and is not expensive.
Remember that the same water is used for ice and in dishes like salads!

Sunburn
The sun in Jamaica is very strong and even when it is cloudy you can get sunburn surprisingly quickly. Beware that sunburn is very dangerous for your health and can ruin your holiday.
Protection is not so hard: use a high factor sunscreen (15 or more), don't sunbathe during the hottest hours of the day and take extra care for areas of your body that normally don't see the sun.
And if you got sunburn: stay in the shade! Aloe vera helps to cool down a bit, but time is the best doctor.

Mosquito's & Vaccinations

Dengue Fever:
- is present in Jamaica
Malaria:
- in 2006 a few cases of Malaria were found in the city of Kingston and the St. Andrew parish, but this outbreak is fully under control so far, the rest of the country is clear
Vaccinations:
- Yellow fever: vaccination mandatory if you are coming from a yellow fever area
- Cholera: declaration not necessary
- DTP: vaccination recommended
- Hepatitis A: vaccination recommended
- Typhoid: vaccination recommended under extraordinary circumstances

Before you go, always check your local medical center for the latest updates on current medical issues in Jamaica! The website of the World Health Organization also offers the latest health news. See http://www.who.int/en/.

Sexually transmitted diseases
As everywhere in the world, Jamaica has nor escaped the proliferation of sexually transmitted des eases.
Unfortunately Herpes, Gonorrhea and Syphilis ave very common in Jamaica. HIV is a relatively small problem in Jamaica, in 2003 about 1070 people with AIDS were recorded. This doesn't mean HIV/AIDS is not a treat in Jamaica.

The best way to protect yourself: don't have sex. Okay, okay, okay, that is not the most funny way to protect yourself, we know ;-) So in stead of sexual abstinence, please use condoms to protect yourself and your partner. Condoms are island wide available in all pharmacies and some other shops.
Before you buy condoms in Jamaica, check the expiration dates! Or bring them from home.

Other
When traveling to Jamaica remember you are entering a tropical environment. Which means there are mosquito's, ticks and mites. There can be Typhus, Dysentery, Cholera and more of such typical tropic threats.
Normally, a good personal health care, especially for visitors from non-tropical countries, is the best protection and should be enough.

No-See-'Ums (also known as Biting Midges or Sand Flies) are tiny, biting flies are only 1/25” to 1/10”, small enough to pass through screens, usually hanging out on beaches. You may not see them, but you will notice their hot, painful, stinging bite. Welts and lesions from the bite may last for days. In normal cases, the bite irritating, but not dangerous.
Wear protective clothing such as long sleeved shirts and long pants and avoid use of outdoor lighting, especially during early evening hours, then you won't meet these creatures.

Before you go to Jamaica, think about an insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems during your stay. Expectably when your have to stay in a hospital, the bill can get up extremely high!

110
The emergency number for public ambulances is 110.
If you need just a doctor, ask the front desk of your hotel where the doctor is located.
If you camp in the wild, be sure that you know the nearest doctor or hospital in the area before you go. In cases of emergency you need this information.

Addresses and contact info on hospitals and doctors -if available- can be found in the local sections soon. Or check the Jamaica Yellow Pages at http://jamaica.jamaicayp.com.