The first step in preparing for a healthy trip to Cuba is to review your own medical history. Find copies of your inoculation records, so you can determine which additional inoculations you will need. During this preparation phase, you should also apply for permission to travel to Cuba, as an extensive application process is involved. Allow several weeks to process your application, during which time you can update your inoculations and address other health concerns prior to your travel. The CDC recommends that you begin your health preparation at least 6 weeks in advance, and that you consult with a clinic specializing in travel medicine.
In reviewing your medical history, determine if you are in need of a booster of one of the routine childhood vaccinations, including measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, polio virus vaccine. Many adults in the US have never had boosters for MMR or polio, and face risks of these diseases in other countries where vaccines are not as standard and the diseases are more common. In July 2009, the CDC released a travel advisory concerning the widespread risk of measles when traveling outside the US. Tetanus boosters are also generally not given unless one experiences an injury or illness that increases the risk of contracting the disease. However, when traveling to Cuba (or anywhere outside the US), the CDC recommends receiving the tetanus or DPT booster as a preventative measure.
The CDC recommends that all travelers to Cuba receive Hepatitis A vaccinations. Hepatitis A is very common in Cuba, and the entire region. Over 70 percent of Hepatitis A cases reported in the U.S. were contracted in Central/South America, including Cuba. Hepatitis A is occasionally transmitted through person-to-person contact, but more often through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated prior to consumption. The vaccine is highly effective in preventing the disease, and all unvaccinated travelers to Cuba should be inoculated against Hepatitis A.
Typhoid is prevalent in the Caribbean. The disease is primarily spread through contaminated food and water. Typhoid causes high fever, general malaise and headache. More severe cases can be fatal. The CDC recommends typhoid innoculations for all travelers to the Caribbean, including those traveling to Cuba.
Vaccination of domestic pets against rabies is not as common in many developing parts of the world, including Cuba. In addition, wildlife management is not as extensive. Visitors to Cuba, especially those who will be traveling outside of the urban areas, should consider their exposure to the risk of rabies. Anyone who will be camping, hiking or biking in Cuba should be inoculated against rabies. Those visitors who will be staying mainly in urban areas are not at significant risk, so the rabies vaccine may be considered optional.
