Puerto Rico Global Health Insurance / Travel Advice

Puerto Rico Travel Advice

• There have been many cases of the H1N1 virus, also known as Swine Flu in Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican authorities are screening passengers at the airports. These measures will be extended to all international airports, ports (both goods and passengers) and land border stations in the near future. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. You should seek medical advice before traveling to Puerto Rico and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has estimated that around 10,000 people in Puerto Rico were living with AIDS/HIV (2004). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated the AIDS/HIV rate for adults and adolescents living with the infection were 324 per 100,000 of the population. Since the AIDS/HIV was discovered in the 1980s, 28,953 cases have been reported in Puerto Rico and over 17,834 people have died of AIDS/HIV related complications. Drug use on the island has accounted for 40% of the AIDS/HIV incidences among males and 27% of new infections among females. In 2006, Puerto Rico had an AIDS/HIV incidence rate double that of the mainland of United States.

• You may need to get the following vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases you might be at risk for in Puerto Rico: Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Rabies, Rubella (MMR), Diphtheria, and Pertussis.

• There have been a Dengue Fever epidemics throughout the Caribbean Islands. In a 1994, there were 24,252 suspected cases of Dengue Fever and 3 of them were fatal. Between 1995 and 1996 there were 3,850 confirmed cases of the fever. Dengue Fever is contracted by insect bites (Aedes Egypti mosquitoes). Protect yourself from insect bites by using insect repellent (bug spray) with DEET and by covering up by wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants especially in the late evenings. There is no treatment for Dengue Fever except to take analgesics such as acetaminophen/paracetamol (Tylenol) and drink plenty of fluids. Severe cases may require hospitalization for intravenous fluids and supportive care.

• Hepatitis A occurs throughout the Caribbean and is the second most common travel related infection. Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver that is usually acquired by ingestion. Symptoms may include fever, malaise, jaundice, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Most cases resolve without complications, though Hepatitis A occasionally causes liver damage.

• Diarrhea is the most common infection for travelers. A few loose stools usually will not require medical treatment and it is suggested that you drink plenty of fluids such as bottled water and an oral re-hydration solution containing a lot of salts and sugar. If you start having more than four or five stools a day you should start taking an antibiotic (usually a quinolone drug) and an anti-diarrhea agent (such as loperamide). If diarrhea is bloody or persists for more than 72 hours or is accompanied by fever, shaking chills or severe abdominal pain you should seek medical attention. Food and water are the leading cause of illness it is best to wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol base hand gel before eating. Do not eat food purchased from street vendors and make sure food is fully cooked.

• Many doctors and hospitals will expect payment in cash, regardless of whether you have travel health insurance. If you develop a life-threatening medical problem, you’ll probably want to be evacuated to a country with state-of-the-art medical care. This could cost tens of thousands of dollars, so be sure you have insurance that covers this before you depart.

• Travelers should be aware of tropical diseases which can particularly become present during the wet seasons. The hurricane season normally runs from June to November. Visitors traveling to Puerto Rico during this time should be prepared to face extreme weather conditions.

• Overexposure to the sun is the most common health hazard in Puerto Rico but, it is one that you can avoid. Use sunscreen at all times especially if you have skin that is sensitive to strong sun, bring along sun protection with high SPF.

• There is a high crime rate in capital city of San Juan. Tourists are more often targeted for petty crimes and not violent attacks. However a pregnant tourist visiting from United Sates (Georgia) was kidnapped while out for a jog and later found dead with her throat slashed in 2009. We advise that you not to carry valuables or wear jewelry in public places. Do not carry credit cards or cash cards unless you must, as people have been forced by thieves to withdraw cash.

• Possession, use and trafficking of controlled drugs are all serious criminal offenses. The possession of even a small amount of drugs could result in a prison term. The penalty for carrying narcotics into or out of the country can be 20 years of imprisonment and there are usually expensive fines as well.

• If you carry prescription drugs, keep them in their original container, clearly labeled with the doctor's name, pharmacy, and contents.
  Emergency contacts: Department of Health: 787-766-1616, Medical emergencies: 787-754-2550, Dental emergencies: 787-795-0320, Fire department: 787-725-3444, Police: 911 or 787-343-2020, Tourist Zone Police in Conado: 787-726-7020, Tourist Zone Police in Isla Verde: 787-728-4770, Weather: 787-253-458

Puerto Rico Global Health Insurance

Globalsurance works with a number of the world's best insurance companies. We may typically be able to provide you with a range of customized overseas health insurance plans to meet your individual needs. In some cases medical facilities may be unable to provide necessary treatment while you are in Puerto Rico, global health insurance can offer you emergency evacuation which can ensure your transfer to a center of medical excellence. Whether you are traveling or working in Puerto Rico, global health insurance plans that we work with can offer you benefits that we can offer will typically include; in-patient and out patient treatment, dental, maternity, specialist consultations, and emergency evacuation. Having the knowledge that you will be taken care of gives you the security and comfort to enjoy life while overseas. Please contact us today by phone or fill out this quick and easy online form by clicking here if you would like to know more about Puerto Rico, global health insurance plans that we can offer you or to receive a free quote.