Malaria in the Dominican Republic
05 Nov 2024
The Dominican Republic Ministry of Health has reported increased transmission of malaria in 2024. From 1 January 2024 to 19 October 2024, there have been 876 confirmed malaria cases in the Dominican Republic, compared to 224 confirmed cases in 2023.
More than half of this year’s cases have been reported in Azua and San Juan provinces in the west of the country.
Advice for Travellers
Malaria is a potentially serious infection that is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites.
If you are travelling to the Dominican Republic you should:
- understand your risk of malaria, given the current increase in cases
- know how to protect yourself against mosquito bites at all times during your trip
- if you are visiting Azua or San Juan provinces where malaria risk is higher, contact a travel health professional to find out if you should take antimalarial tablets. Children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with certain medical conditions are at an increased risk of becoming severely unwell if they develop malaria and may be recommended to take tablets to prevent malaria (antimalarials).
If you develop a high temperature (fever) during your trip, or for up to a month on return, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible and tell the doctor about your recent travel history, including that you may have been exposed to malaria.
See the fitfortravel Malaria section and the Dominican Republic country page for further information.