Puerto Rico Travel Vaccines

Puerto Rico Travel Vaccines 2024

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Canada Health, and the U.K.'s NHS recommend several travel vaccines and optional vaccines for rabies, measles, typhoid, and hepatitis when visiting Puerto Rico in 2024. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Canadian government issued Travel Health Notices regarding Dengue and Zika virus outbreaks. The Puerto Rico Department of Health issued Arboviral Disease Report #39 in October 2024. 

Puerto Rico Chikungunya Outbreaks

Chikungunya is an acute viral disease transmitted by the Aedes aeqypti mosquito in Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico, the first laboratory-confirmed case was in May 2014. Susan Hills MBBS MTH presented on June 26, 2024 - Chikungunya epidemiology in U.S. territories and states with risk of transmission National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. In 2024, disease outbreaks were reported throughout the Region of the Americas. Valneva SE's   IXCHIQ® single dose chikungunya vaccine in available in the U.S.

Puerto Rico Dengue Outbreaks

The U.S. CDC says the Dengue virus is endemic in Puerto Rico, and an alert was issued. As of week 39 in 2024, Puerto Rico reported 3,877 dengue cases, with the San Juan region reporting about 1,400 cases. In 2024, dengue-related hospitalizations totaled 1,234 and 2 dengue-related deaths. As of December 31, 2023, week #52, 1,242 dengue cases were reported in Puerto Rico. In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Dengvaxia vaccine for people 9–16 years old with laboratory evidence of a previous dengue infection and living in areas where dengue is common. However, as of September 2024, Puerto Rico's Health Department issued a Notice of Discontinuation for the Dengvaxia vaccine. Furthermore, the Qdenga vaccine has not been approved for use.

Puerto Rico Malaria Outbreaks

The U.K.'s FitforTravel cautions visitors about malaria infections in 2024. The U.S. CDC says travelers should be informed of risks before visiting countries with malaria outbreaks and take recommended precautions, including avoiding mosquito exposure. The two approved malaria vaccines are available in Africa.

Puerto Rico Oropouche Virus

In August 2024, the Puerto Rico Department of Health informed health professionals about the Oropouche virus outbreak in the Americas, including Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Panama, and Cuba.

Puerto Rico Zika Outbreaks

According to the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico has been categorized as having a risk of Zika (ZIKV) virus transmission for several years. As of October 2024, 16 Zika cases have been reported this year. There were 43 Zika virus cases reported in 2023. The U.S. CDC and Canada say that if you are pregnant, you should not travel to areas with Zika outbreaks. Early-stage clinical trials for Zika vaccines are being conducted in the U.S. in 2024. For example, Valneva SE's VLA1601 is a second-generation purified, inactivated, whole Zika virus vaccine candidate conducting phase 1 studies.

Puerto Rico Mosquitoes 

The primary mosquito vector of dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika viruses on the island of Puerto Rico is Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762). However, Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) and Aedes mediovittatus (Coquillett, 1906) have played significant roles in past outbreaks. Further complicating the issue is the recent detection of Aedes vittatus (Bigot, 1861) in the Caribbean.

Travel Advisories

The U.S. State Department and the local Consulate do not have active Travel Advisories issued for Puerto Rico. The U.S. passport agency is Centro Gubernamental Minillas, Torre Norte, Piso 9, Avenida Jose de Diego, Parada 22, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00940. The Canadian government says visitors should take standard security precautions in Puerto Rico.