Puerto Rico Travel Vaccines

Puerto Rico Travel Vaccines 2024

The Puerto Rico Department of Health, Arboviral Disease Report, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) published information on Dengue and Zika virus cases as of week #12 in 2024. The Canadian government has issued Travel Health Notices regarding dengue, measles, and Zika viruses outbreaks in 2024. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the UK's NHS recommend several routine vaccinations and optional vaccines for rabies, measles, typhoid, and hepatitis when visiting Puerto Rico in April 2024. 

Puerto Rico Dengue Outbreaks

The U.S. CDC says the Dengue virus is endemic in Puerto Rico. As of April 2024, week #12, there are 644 dengue cases, with San Juan (323) reporting the most. In 2024, dengue-related hospitalizations have totaled 394. As of December 31, 2023, week #52, 1,242 dengue cases were reported. In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Dengvaxia vaccine for children 9–16 years old with laboratory evidence of a previous dengue infection and living in areas where dengue is common. Severe dengue cases in Puerto Rico peaked in 1998 (n = 173) and in 2021 (n = 76).

Puerto Rico Malaria Outbreaks

The U.K.'s FitforTravel cautions visitors about malaria infections in 2023. The U.S. CDC says travelers should be informed of risks before visiting locations where malaria is endemic and take recommended precautions, including avoiding exposure to mosquitoes

Puerto Rico Zika Outbreaks

According to the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico has been categorized as having a risk of Zika (ZIKV) virus transmission. As of week 12 of 2024, 3 Zika cases have been reported in the San Juan area. There were 43 Zika virus cases reported in 2023. The U.S. CDC and Canada say that if you are pregnant, you should not travel to areas with Zika outbreaks. Early-stage clinical trials for Zika vaccines are being conducted in the U.S. in 2024.

Puerto Rico Mosquitoes 

The primary mosquito vector of dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika viruses on the island of Puerto Rico is Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762). However, Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) and Aedes mediovittatus (Coquillett, 1906) have played significant roles in past outbreaks. Further complicating the issue is the recent detection of Aedes vittatus (Bigot, 1861) in the Caribbean.

Travel Advisories

The U.S. State Department and the local Consulate do not have active Travel Advisories issued for Puerto Rico. The U.S. passport agency is Centro Gubernamental Minillas, Torre Norte, Piso 9, Avenida Jose de Diego, Parada 22, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00940. The Canadian government says visitors should take normal security precautions in Puerto Rico.