Caribbean

Countries

 

◦ Anguilla (U.K.)

◦ Antigua and Barbuda

◦ Aruba

◦ Bahamas, The

◦ Barbados

◦ Bermuda (U.K.)

◦ Cayman Islands (U.K.)

◦ Cuba

◦ Dominica

◦ Dominican Republic

◦ Grenada

◦ Guadeloupe

◦ Haiti

◦ Jamaica

◦ Martinique (France)

◦ Montserrat (U.K.)

◦ Netherlands Antilles

◦ Puerto Rico (U.S.)

◦ Saint Kitts and Nevis

◦ Saint Lucia

◦ Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

◦ Trinidad and Tobago

◦ Turks and Caicos Islands (U.K.)

◦ Virgin Islands, British

◦ Virgin Islands, U.S.

 

 

Health Risks

 

◦ Anthrax (in Haiti)

◦ Ciguatera fish poisoning

◦ Cutaneous larval migrans

◦ Dengue fever

◦ Eosinophilic meningitis (in Jamaica)

◦ Histoplasmosis

◦ HIV (in Haiti)

◦ Leptospirosis

◦ Malaria (in Dominican Republic, Haiti)

◦ Tuberculosis (in Haiti)

 

Preventing Health Problems

Recommended Vaccines

◦ Routine Vaccinations – including polio, measles-mumps-and-rubella (MMR), tetanus-diphtheria-and-pertussis (Tdap), and yearly influenza vaccines.

◦ Hepatitis A

◦ Hepatitis B

◦ Typhoid

◦ Rabies (only recommended in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti)

◦ Yellow Fever (only recommended in Trinidad and Tobago)

Avoiding Bug Bites

In Dominican Republic and Haiti

◦ Malaria is a dangerous disease although is not as prevalent in the Caribbean as it is in other countries. That being said insects, especially mosquitoes and ticks, are very effective in spreading diseases. That is why it is important to take certain precautions to prevent bug bites.

◦ Anti-malaria prescription medications are available. Since malaria is not a big problem in the Caribbean, we recommend talking to your doctor as you do your pre-mission appointments about getting an anti-malaria prescription.

◦ To prevent bug bites use insect repellent with 30%-50% DEET. In addition to insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. Since mosquitoes are more active at night, avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn as much as possible.

◦ Permethrin is a very effective insect repellent against all bugs that you spray on materials. By sleeping under permethrin-treated nets and using permethrin based insect spray indoors the amount of mosquitoes indoors can be minimized.

Food and Water

◦ Being in a new culture and country means increased risk of getting sick from food and water. In order to reduce food and water borne illnesses there are some precautions that can be taken.

Drink bottled water, bottled or canned carbonated drinks, or water you have filtered or treated. DO NOT drink tap water, fountain drinks or use ice cubes.

Washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer often and especially before eating is a simple yet very effective way to reduce ingesting harmful bacteria and viruses.

As for food, DO NOT eat food that may have contacted contaminated water or soil such as fresh vegetables or fruit that you don’t need to peel before eating.

Regardless of where you are meat should always be fully cooked before eating to avoid food borne illness as well as ingesting stomach worms.

DO NOT eat unpasteurized dairy products

Avoid eating food from street vendors as food borne illness is prevalent at them due to undercooked food and ingredients that are not washed or prepared properly.

Avoiding Injuries

◦ Some of the more common injuries that occur to missionaries in these areas are bike injuries. Always wear a helmet while riding your bike to prevent head injuries.

◦ While missionaries do not drive as much in the Caribbean the potential still exists for injuries in car accidents. The best preventative measure in this case is to always wear a seat belt when in a car.

Avoiding Animals

◦ Animals such as dogs and cats can spread diseases and insects such as rabies and fleas. Avoid touching animals as much as possible.

Sun Exposure

◦ Regardless of where you are in the world too much sun exposure can increase your risk for getting skin cancer. Always wear sunscreen when outdoors.

Avoiding Fungal and Parasitic Infections

◦ Fungus and parasites are present in this area. To avoid contracting fungal and parasitic infections keep your feet dry, clean and covered. That means DO NOT go barefoot. Wear sandals in the shower, slippers at home and shoes at all times when outside.

 

 

Recommended Items to Bring

General Health and Medications
The following is a list of medications that you might consider taking to this area of the world.

◦ Any medications you take regularly at home

◦ Prescription anti-malarial medication (in Dominican Republic, Haiti)

◦ Pain reliever such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or aspirin

◦ 1% hydrocortisone cream

◦ Anti-itch cream

◦ Antifungal cream

◦ Saline eye drops

◦ Anti-motion sickness medication (if necessary)

◦ Thermometer

Avoiding Bug Bites
The following is a list of general items that you should take with you for bug bites.

In Dominican Republic and Haiti

◦ Insect repellent with 30-50% DEET

◦ Long-sleeved shirts and pants

◦ Permethrin-treated bed netting

◦ Permethrin

◦ Currently, permethrin cannot be taken from the MTC in personal luggage on commercial airlines. You should plan on buying permethrin when you arrive in your mission or have it shipped out to you.

In other areas of the region

◦ Insect repellent with 30-50% DEET

◦ Long-sleeved shirts and pants

Food and Water
The following list includes items that help to simply reduce the spread of disease, but also includes items that reduce water and food borne illness. There are also a couple of medications listed that help in the event that you have diarrhea.

◦ Hand soap

◦ Alcohol-based hand sanitizer

◦ Water bottle

◦ Water purification

◦ Water filter

◦ Iodine tablets

◦ Ultraviolet water purifier

◦ Anti-diarrhea medication (loperamide)

◦ Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)

◦ Prescription antibiotic to treat travelers’ diarrhea

Avoiding Injuries
This list includes items you should bring if you ride a bike as well as some of the items you should find in a first aid kit.

◦ Bicycle helmet

◦ Bicycle multi-tool

◦ Basic first aid kit

◦ Multiple sizes of adhesive bandages

◦ Antibiotic ointment

◦ Butterfly bandages

◦ Gauze pads

◦ Alcohol wipes

◦ Adhesive tape

◦ Blistoban

◦ Moleskin or Molefoam

◦ Burn treatment gel

◦ Tweezers

◦ Compression bandage

Sun Exposure

Sunscreen and sunburn lotion such as aloe vera are both vital to prevent sun exposure and to treat sunburns.