health precautions?

[canadianmooners]

Hi everyone. I was under the impression that Aruba was reasonably safe health wise, like Florida for example, until I saw the list below on a website. The list covers some precautions you should take - do people generally do so before going there?

Diphtheria - Sometimes
Hepatitis A - Yes
Malaria - No
Rabies - Sometimes
Tetanus - Yes
Typhoid - Sometimes
Yellow - FeverNo*

If I wanted to risk Rabies I'd just... um... darn, I thought I could come up with a funny punchline for that. man do I need this vacation!

[Arubalisa]

I don't know what your Canadian health service suggests, nor do I know the source of your info, but for US citizens, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) calls for routine childhood immunizations (of which Diptheria & Tetanus are included) as well as Hep A & B as well as Typhoid.

As to rabies, "Rabies vaccination is only recommended for travelers involved in any activities that might bring them into direct contact with bats. These travelers include wildlife professionals, researchers, veterinarians, or adventure travelers visiting areas where bats are commonly found."

Yes there are bats in Aruba, primarily in the caves. I have visited two of the caves and did not have a rabies vaccination and did not get bitten. If you are afraid of bats or the vaccine, avoid the caves and you should be fine.

[Andrea J.]

in a word NO.

most folks are covered for tetanus with a booster every so often
don't we in usa get diptheria, typhoid and tetanus shots at a young age?
(not me....younger folks)
rabies..........tons of rabies here in the usa

aruba is as safe as the usa maaybe safer
andrea

Originally Posted by canadianmooners

Hi everyone. I was under the impression that Aruba was reasonably safe health wise, like Florida for example, until I saw the list below on a website. The list covers some precautions you should take - do people generally do so before going there?

Diphtheria - Sometimes
Hepatitis A - Yes
Malaria - No
Rabies - Sometimes
Tetanus - Yes
Typhoid - Sometimes
Yellow - FeverNo*

If I wanted to risk Rabies I'd just... um... darn, I thought I could come up with a funny punchline for that. man do I need this vacation!

[EdnaSmith]

When we wanted to adopt a puppy we were told there was no rabies on the island. Have never heard of health issues while on the island and we have been going there for over twenty years.

[TomFrederick]

>>> "Aruba was reasonably safe health wise"
----- It is. Just need your normal shots that all of us in the States get.
Drinking water is A+. Even better/safer than some places in the States.
Have taken over 20 trips to Aruba without problems.

[Andrea J.]

the worst malady that most acquire on aruba is the
"i do not want to leave the island" syndrome.


getting back to the bats in the caves
bat dropping can be very harmful.
i remember that from girl scouts.
andrea

[Bill]

[QUOTE=Andrea J.;147181]the worst malady that most acquire on aruba is the
"i do not want to leave the island" syndrome.

This one is bad! Only one known cure. I have had it for many years and dont see it ending. It seems to get worse every trip.

[Eagle Beach Boy]

Originally Posted by canadianmooners

Hi everyone. I was under the impression that Aruba was reasonably safe health wise,

Hepatitis A - Yes

You can get Hepatitis A and C any where. Mainly from unwashed fruit and vegetables and dirty ice in your drinks. The Ice in Aruba is made with the cleanest water any where.

Both my wife and I have had our Hepatitis and booster shots as a precaution.

[Arubalisa]

H1N1-- flairing up in the schools and colleges here in our area already.
Wash your hands FREQUENTLY.
If you have a fever, go to the doctor and STAY HOME until you are without fever for 24 hours.

[Robert Dekoff]

One malady that was not mentioned was "Dengue". This is transmitted my mosquitos,which have become a recent problem caused by all the newly manmade freshwater ponds on the island. There have been several cases reported recently.