Recommendations
for Travelers going to Cuba 2007-8 Winter
Travelers
staying for a short visit 1-2 weeks inside a destination resort
should consider the following:
Tetanus
Diphtheria (Td) should be up to date and
given every 10 yrs.
Polio
(IPV) This may also be combined with Td (Td-polio) or separate
(IPV), and should be given every 10 yrs for travelers traveling
outside North America. Because of the recent cases of Polio disease
in the Dominican Republic all travelers are strongly recommended
to consider polio vaccination boosters.
Hepatitis
A vaccine is also strongly recommended.
Hepatitis A is acquired from contaminated food or water and can
make people very sick. The vaccine gives protection for 12 months.
A second dose, which must be given no sooner than 6 months, will
boost this protection to at least 10-20 yrs.
Hepatitis
B is a different virus also causing hepatitis
although it is acquired through blood and body fluids. It is more
common, easier to catch and kills more people than HIV.Risk factors
for Hepatitis B include: contact with bodily fluids,
unclean needles, unprotected sex (although even condoms do not reduce
the risk to zero), IV drugs, and blood transfusions. People who
will be staying longer than 3-6 months in countries where Hepatitis
B is very high are also recommended to have this vaccine.
Hepatitis
B should be given in 2 full doses one month apart with a booster
dose after 6 months.
All
the different brands of Hepatitis A and B are equally effective.
Some people prefer the pre mixed vaccine of Twinrex but if they
use this one they must receive 2 full doses to be adequately protected
against either Hep A or B.
Typhoid
is more common in Cuba than in other Caribbean countries and
should be considered for longer stays and especially for extended
or off the beaten path travels. Injectable Typhoid (Typherix or
Typhim Vi) is good for 3 years.
Other
considerations: Dengue fever is a viral illness transmitted
by daytime biting mosquitoes. At present there is no good vaccination
or treatment. At times Cuba may have dengue. We recommend that you
check if the area you are going to has dengue and take appropriate
precautions. We recommend good clothing (light loose fitting and
covering the limbs), DEET 30% applied to exposed skin, and Permethrin
insecticide applied to clothing. Permethrin kills insects on contact
but is safe.
Malaria
is a severe parasite transmitted by night biting mosquitoes
THERE
IS NO MALARIA IN CUBA THERE IS NO YELLOW FEVER IN CUBA
Traveler's
Diarrhea is diarrhea caused during travel by exposure
to bacteria, viruses and parasites, although traveler's diarrhea
is usually referred to the development of extreme symptoms following
a bacteria infection. We recommend of course that people be careful
what they eat but traveler's diarrhea also even happens to those
who are careful since they may be infected through another's careless
preparation of food. Pepto-Bismol and Imodium may be taken for mild
symptoms. We prescribe antibiotics to take at the early stages of
traveler's diarrhea. We aim to prevent the loss of fluids and body
salts, which will make one very sick in a tropical environment.
Dukoral a vaccine has been licenced in Canda against “travelers
diarrhea” however it is only effective against 1 in 5 cases of travelers
diarrhea and lasts 3 months. In contrast taking pepto bismo decreases
travelers diarrhea by 50%. Travelers having diarrhea starting after
their trip may have an intestinal parasite. If you suspect that
you may have a parasite check with our clinic.
Department of Foreign Affairs
(Cuba Resources) http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/latinamerica/cuba-en.asp
|