Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius) : Travel Health

WARNING! This information is out-dated and likely to be inaccurate!

Researching Travel Plans

Please note that this health information about Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius) may be out-of-date. Always research the current health conditions and issues in any region you plan to visit prior to departure.

Infectious Diseases and Medical Concerns for Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius)

The following medical diseases or health concerns are more common in travel to Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius) (compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World):

• travelers' diarrhea
• cholera
• Escherichia coli diarrhea
• hepatitis A
• schistosomiasis - found in fresh water
• typhoid fever
• Insect born diseases
• parasitic diseases
• Dengue fever
• filariasis
• leishmaniasis
• toxoplasmosis
• HIV/AIDS
• hepatitis B

More Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius)

The following health concerns or diseases are more commonly found in Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius) compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:

• motor vehicle trauma - wear seatbelts and avoid night driving
• ciguatera poisoning
• corals, sea urchins, sea snakes and jellyfish can cause injury in marine waters
• sharks can cause injury in marine waters

Epidemics for Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius)

The following health concerns, diseases or comments are related to epidemics in Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius):

• Dengue fever

Less Common Diseases and Health Concerns for Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius)

The following health concerns or medical diseases are less commonly found in Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius) compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:

• plague - risk for travelers is small

Vaccinations for Travel to Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius)

The following medical vaccinations are desirable or helpful for travel to Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius) to prevent contagious diseases in Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius):

• hepatitis A - or immune globulin (IG)
• hepatitis B - if risk of exposure to blood/bodily fluid or medical treatment or if your stay will be longer than 6 months then all infants and children 11-12 years who did not complete the series as infants
• rabies - if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation
• typhoid
• tetanus - booster dose as needed
• diphtheria - booster dose as needed
• measles - booster dose as needed

Preventions or Health Precautions for Travel to Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius)

Any health risk of travel to Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius) may be reduced by the following precautionary health measures when visiting Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius):

• high rate of motor vehicle trauma - avoid night driving and wear seatbelts
• mosquito bite prevention
• insect bite protection
• avoid drinking non-treated water - only drink bottled or canned water
• eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself
• keep feet clean and dry - help prevent parasitic infections
• do not go barefoot - help prevent parasitic infections
• always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
• don't eat food purchased from street vendors
• don't drink beverages with ice
• don't share needles with anyone
• don't handle animals (especially monkeys/dogs/cats) - to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague - risk for travelers is small)
• don't swim in fresh water. Salt water is usually safer
• hurricane season is between June and November - take care and heed local precautions

Other Relevant Issues for Travel to Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius)

The following may be issues relevant to travel to Netherlands Antilles (Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao / Saba / Sint Eustatius):

• medical care is adequate but not to the standard of industrialized countries in Aruba, Curacao, and Saint Maarten, facilities are substandard elsewhere
• all intending immigrants will be tested for HIV

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