Caribbean

Dominican Republic: Contaminated Water in Santo Domingo

Date: December 6th, 2007 |

The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo reported that following tropical storm Noel and recent heavy rains, the water supply of Santo Domingo became contaminated and should not be drunk or used for cooking or brushing teeth. Visitors should use bottled water that has not been exposed to floodwaters, should boil all tap water or disinfect [read more]

Haiti: U.S. Embassy Prohibits Personnel from Flying Caribintair Airlines

Date: September 19th, 2007 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince now prohibits all U.S. government personnel from flying on Haiti’s Caribintair Airlines, and warns travelers to avoid the carrier. The airline has had two forced emergency landings in the past month and Haiti’s civil aviation authority has grounded its domestic flights while continuing to allow flights to Santo Domingo, Dominican [read more]

Mexico: Dengue Fever Cases Up around Country

Date: April 4th, 2007 |

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Dengue fever is surging in Mexico and other areas of Latin America. Dengue cases in Mexico have increased more than 600 percent since 2001, with the deadly form of dengue hemorrhagic fever increasing dramatically. It now accounts for one in every four cases compared to one in every fifty cases seven years ago. Officials have [read more]

Caribbean: Risks at Cricket World Cup Venues

Date: February 28th, 2007 |

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There are no credible threats to the Cricket World Cup that begins March 5, but other risks in host countries can be generally classified. Islands with low to moderate crime threats are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia. Countries with high crime threats include [read more]

Caribbean: Cricket World Cup

Date: February 14th, 2007 |

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The Cricket World Cup will be played March 5-April 28 on various Caribbean islands. Large numbers of fans from participating countries are likely to attend, putting a strain on basic services from hotel accommodations to transportation to medical assistance. Matches are scheduled in Antigua, Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, [read more]

Antigua and Barbuda: Violent Crime Increase Prompts New Police Initiatives

Date: November 15th, 2007 |

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Antigua is experiencing an increase in violent crime with three recent shooting deaths bringing the murder count to more than 30 in the past two years on these islands whose population is just under 70,000. Officials have implemented crime-fighting initiatives and have made two dozen arrests in the recent killings, but opposition leaders complain that [read more]

Caribbean: Hurricane Dean Misses Major Tourist Sites

Date: August 22nd, 2007 |

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Category 5 Hurricane Dean churned through the Caribbean and Mexico Aug. 19-22 causing extensive property damage but generally sparing tourism facilities. Jamaica took a glancing blow, with the north coast resorts suffering little damage and airports fully functioning again. The Cayman Islands largely escaped with just wind damage. In Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Dean hit land [read more]

Puerto Rico: Montserrat Volcano Disrupts Flights

Date: March 14th, 2007 |

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Ash from the Soufriere Hills volcano on Montserrat disrupted air traffic to Puerto Rico March 10, causing cancellation of four Delta Airlines flights in San Juan and many flights by several airlines in Ponce on the south side of the island. Ash from the volcano often clouds the Caribbean sky but seldom affects flights. Its [read more]

Trinidad and Tobago: Crime Increase

Date: February 21st, 2007 |

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Jouvert, the celebration that launches carnival on these islands, prompted more than 20 victims of stabbings and beatings to go to Port of Spain’s General Hospital Feb. 19, including a man from Texas who was beaten by two men trying to steal his camcorder. The celebration is always festive but fraught with crime. The islands [read more]

Dominican Republic and Jamaica: Malaria Updates

Date: February 1st, 2007 |

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Canadian health officials are urging Canadians traveling to the Dominican Republic to take precautions against malaria following three recent cases of the disease in returning travelers. The cases occurred in visitors to resorts in the province of La Altagracia. The best protection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, but Canada’s public health agency recommends [read more]