If you’re planning on visiting the Dominican Republic, you’ll need to be prepared for a range of diseases. For instance, if you plan to stay with family members or go to smaller towns, you should get rabies vaccination. There are also vaccines for Pertussis and Zika.
Chikungunya virus causes joint pains, fever, rash and headache
In cases where these symptoms are severe, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately. Most people recover from the condition within a week or two, although joint pain can persist for months or even years. Once recovered, individuals are likely to be immune to further infections. A doctor will perform a variety of tests to diagnose the virus. Serological tests will reveal whether a patient has antibodies to the virus. These antibodies are highest three to five weeks after the onset of the illness and persist for two months.
Most people infected with this virus will experience fever and joint pain for several days. Symptoms may also include conjunctivitis and swollen lymph glands. Joint pains will usually disappear within a few weeks, but if they do persist, physiotherapy may be necessary.
Pertussis vaccinations
Pertussis vaccinations are an important part of public health policies, particularly for infants and young children. During the study period, 260 cases of pertussis were reported in the DR. Of these, four were among children aged one to four years old. The rest of the cases were either probable or suspected cases. In 2014, the overall incidence of pertussis in the DR was higher than that of Spain, where it was nearly six times higher. Vaccination programs should be systematically adopted in the DR and Spain to prevent pertussis.
While the Dominican Republic has a national immunization program, immunization rates are not uniform across the country. The government has implemented a study to determine what factors contribute to missed opportunities (MOVs). This study was conducted in 102 health facilities in 30 municipalities. It identified risk factors for MOVs, as well as the causes of missed opportunities.
Zika virus vaccinations
If you are planning to visit the Dominican Republic, you should know the risk factors for the Zika virus and be sure to get the necessary vaccines. In addition to the Zika virus, you should also get the vaccines against dengue fever and hepatitis B. Dengue fever is spread by day-biting mosquitoes, so you should use insect repellents and wear protective clothing. A mosquito net is also a good idea.
In a study of health attitudes, knowledge and practices in the Dominican Republic, the findings were mixed. While only 40% of the respondents had heard about the virus, nearly half of them had guessed that it could be transmitted by mosquitoes or by sexual intercourse. Nevertheless, 51% of the respondents thought that Zika was an important issue in their community. The findings highlight the need for better Zika education, especially in remote areas.
Transiting through the Dominican Republic
When transiting through the Dominican Republic, it is vital that you follow certain safety precautions. The first step is to make sure that you have sufficient funds. The Dominican Republic uses the Dominican peso as its currency, but US dollars and travellers’ cheques will work just fine. You can also withdraw money from ATMs in the country if you are in need of cash. Ensure that you have travel insurance in place that covers medical evacuation if an emergency occurs.
You must have a tourist card in order to enter the Dominican Republic. The card is valid for 30 days. Be aware that entry and exit conditions can change at short notice, so it is best to contact your travel agent or high commission for updates. Also, you may have to show a COVID-19 vaccination card. Visitors who have a vaccination card will not be subject to random testing operations. You must also fill out an electronic entry and exit form. This form is a combination of the Customs Declaration and the Traveller’s Health Affafafafafafovit.
Avoiding gastrointestinal illnesses in Dominican Republic
When you are traveling in the Dominican Republic, there are some precautions you can take to avoid common gastrointestinal illnesses. For example, you should avoid drinking seawater, which is not purified. This can cause vomiting and gastrointestinal problems. Also, you should avoid consuming food and water that contain contaminated bacteria.
It is best to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them. Wash them with boiled water and then rinse them with baking soda or vinegar. These will help remove any particles that may be causing stomach infections. You should also peel fruits whenever possible. You should also avoid drinking fresh juice from fruit kiosks. These kiosks usually do not wash the fruits thoroughly, so it is best to prepare your own juice before drinking it.
