Dengue Fever in Caribbean

Countries in the Caribbean Region that have reported people infected with dengue fever virus include the Dominican Republic, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Dominica, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, St. Kits and Nevis, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. The number of reported cases varies significantly from one country to another. For example, Antigua and Barbuda reported only one infection so far this year, while Martinique and French Guiana reported 73 and 115 cases, respectively.

Advice

The risk of exposure will vary from place to place and may be high in many localities.

All travellers to areas where the dengue fever virus is active can reduce their risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Many persons with dengue fever do not seek medical care and are not reported to health authorities. There may be many more cases in the community than the reports indicate.