Haiti - Health

Medical facilities in Haiti have been improved measurably in the recent past, but facilities are still somewhat limited. Doctors in Haiti are highly skilled, but the facilities may not have advanced equipment to deal with major issues.

In a life-threatening situation, you may need to pay for evacuation by air ambulance, which can be very expensive.

Even if you have proper travel health insurance, doctors and hospitals often want immediate cash payment for care.

Vaccine-Preventable Diseases:

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines prior to your trip.

Typhoid, hepatitis A, and B inoculations are also highly recommended.

Rabid dogs are common in Haiti. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Haiti, you may have limited or no access to rabies treatment. Consider getting a rabies vaccination before your trip if you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Mosquito-borne Diseases:

Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended and Dengue Fever is also present.

This country has been categorized as having a risk of Zika transmission. Because of the pregnancy risks, travelers should consult the CDC Travelers’ Health website for the most current recommendations for Zika.

Prevention:

• Use a repellent containing 20%-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin on exposed skin. Re-apply according to the manufacturer's directions.
• Wear neutral-colored (beige, light grey) long-sleeved clothing.
• Pre-soak or spray the outer layer of clothing and gear with permethrin.
• Ensure that the hatch and window screens work properly.

Food and Water Concerns:

Active cholera transmission is widespread in Haiti. After more than three years with no cases of cholera recorded in Haiti, national officials reported confirmed cholera infections in the greater Port-au-Prince area in October 2022 and in December 2023 in Ile a Vache.

Drink no water from streams or wells unless chemically treating and mechanically filtering it first.

All water (even from the tap) should be regarded as unsafe. Not even local Haitians drink tap water. Milk is also unpasteurized and may upset a visitor's stomach. Salads and unpeeled fruit should be avoided.

Other Diseases:

HIV/AIDS cases are more frequent here than in surrounding countries.

There is no hyperbaric/decompression chamber in Haiti. The nearest recompression chamber is in the DR.

Emergency Numbers:
See Emergencies.

Useful links:

• Ministry of Public Health and Population
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Last updated:  December 2023