Haiti
Caribbean · Central America & Caribbean · Physician brief
Ongoing cholera transmission
Cholera is actively transmitted in Haiti, with localized outbreaks continuing in displacement sites amid the humanitarian and security crisis. Drink only safe water, eat well-cooked food, and maintain strict hand hygiene. Oral cholera vaccination should be discussed with a travel medicine specialist, particularly for aid workers, longer stays, or those working in or near affected communities.
PAHO / WHO cholera updates ↗ · Updated 2026
Security and limited healthcare
Haiti faces severe civil unrest and gang violence, and access to medical care is very limited. Travelers should check current government travel advice before any trip, ensure comprehensive travel and medical-evacuation insurance, and recognize that local treatment for malaria or other emergencies may be hard to obtain.
EKRM / travel advisories ↗ · Updated 2026
Yellow fever — entry certificate only if arriving from a risk country
There is no yellow fever risk in Haiti and the vaccine is not recommended for the destination itself. A YF vaccination certificate is required only for travelers arriving from (or transiting) a country with yellow fever transmission risk. Direct travel from Switzerland is not affected.
CDC / WHO ↗ · Updated 2026
Vaccines
Disease-specific guidance
Malaria
ModerateMalaria risk is present throughout the country at all elevations, including coastal and cruise-port areas such as Labadee. The parasite is almost entirely P. falciparum (~99%) and remains chloroquine-sensitive. Chemoprophylaxis is recommended for all travelers, alongside consistent mosquito-bite prevention. Seek medical attention promptly for any fever during or after travel.
- Risk areas
- Countrywide, all elevations incl. Labadee
- Parasite
- P. falciparum (~99%), chloroquine-sensitive
- Prevention
- Chemoprophylaxis for all travelers + mosquito protection
- After travel
- Any fever needs urgent medical assessment
Dengue
HighEndemic year-round, with peaks during and after the rainy season. Transmission occurs throughout the country. Daytime mosquito-bite prevention is the main protection.
- Distribution
- Nationwide
- Season
- Year-round; peaks in rainy season
- Mosquito
- Aedes aegypti — bites during daytime
Zika
PresentZika transmission has been reported in Haiti. Because Zika infection in pregnancy can cause serious birth defects, pregnant travelers are advised not to travel to areas with risk; those planning pregnancy should discuss timing and precautions with their doctor. Zika can also be sexually transmitted, so condom use and bite prevention are advised for couples.
- Pregnancy
- Avoid travel if pregnant; risk of birth defects
- Mosquito
- Aedes aegypti — bites during daytime
- Sexual
- Can be sexually transmitted — use condoms
General prevention
Food & water
Strict food and water precautions are essential given ongoing cholera transmission and limited sanitation: drink only bottled, boiled, or reliably treated water, avoid ice and raw or undercooked food, and wash or disinfect hands frequently. These measures also reduce the risk of traveler's diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid. Avoid wading in floodwater (leptospirosis).
Mosquito protection
Malaria is present countrywide, so day-and-night mosquito protection plus prophylaxis is needed (DEET or picaridin repellent, long sleeves, bed nets, protection at dawn and dusk). Year-round dengue and Zika risk make daytime bite prevention important everywhere, including coastal and cruise-port areas such as Labadee.
Sources
Based on CDC Travelers’ Health, CDC Yellow Book, and the Swiss Federal Vaccination Schedule (BAG). Always verify current recommendations before travel.
Visiting more than one country?
Build a combined itinerary and get merged recommendations across all destinations.
This brief is for informational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.
Consult a travel medicine specialist 4–8 weeks before departure.