Puerto Rico
A high standard of dental care is available in the capital - San Juan
International medication is available via pharmacies throughout Puerto Rico
Blood supplies are considered safe and screened to international standards in the large city hospitals
Medical facilities are available, but may be limited outside urban areas.
Recent medical and dental exams should ensure that the traveler is in good health. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary.
Take personal protective measures against insects. Swim only in well-maintained, chlorinated pools or ocean water known to be free from pollution; avoid freshwater lakes, streams and rivers. Drink only bottled beverages (including water) or beverages made with boiled water. Do not use ice cubes or eat raw seafood or rare meat. Eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors. Only pasteurized dairy products should be consumed.
Coral and jellyfish may present problems.
Hepatitis A: Consider active immunization with hepatitis A vaccine or passive immunization with immune globulin (IG) for all susceptible travelers. Especially consider choosing active immunization for persons planning to reside for a long period or for persons who take frequent short-term trips to risk areas. The importance of protection against hepatitis A increases as length of stay increases. It is particularly important for persons who will be living in or visiting rural areas, eating or drinking in settings of poor or uncertain sanitation, or who will have close contact with local persons (especially young children) in settings with poor sanitary conditions.
Typhoid: Vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 3 weeks, adventurous eaters, and those who will venture off the usual tourist routes into small cities, villages and rural areas. Importance of vaccination increases as access to reasonable medical care becomes limited. Contraindications depend on vaccine type.
Note: All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococcal) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.
Insect-borne illness:
Dengue fever - occurs (According to CDC researchers, more than 25,200 cases were reported from June 1994 through February 1995, compared with an average of 8,800 cases per year from 1991 to 1993.)
Dengue hemorrhagic fever - occurs (Approximately 26% of hospitalized patients report at least one hemorrhagic manifestation.)
Filariasis - occurs
Food-borne and water-borne illness: these diseases, including bacillary and amoebic dysenteries, are common.
Hepatitis - occurs
Schistosomiasis - common
Other hazards:
Diseases such as measles and diphtheria are commonly reported.
Influenza risk extends throughout the year.
Animal rabies is reported in some areas.
None.
