Travel Health: No vaccination certificates are required but precautions are
recommended against Hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies and polio for
those who plan to spend time outside the main tourist resort areas.
There is a malaria risk throughout the year. Between May and
September there is a risk of dengue fever, which is contracted from
mosquitoes that bite during the day. It is advisable to use
mosquito repellent. Travellers should be aware of the high
prevalence of the HIV/AIDS virus in the Dominican Republic and take
the relevant precautions. Water should be regarded as being
potentially contaminated in undeveloped areas; bottled water is
available. Some species of fish, including tropical reef fish, may
be poisonous to eat even when well cooked. There are good hospitals
and other private medical facilities located in Puerto Plata,
Santiago and Santo Domingo, but outside of these cities facilities
are limited, and staff are unlikely to understand English. Most
resorts have doctors that can treat minor medical complaints.
Health insurance, including provision for medical evacuation, is
recommended.
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