North and Central America and Caribbean

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Health

Private medical insurance is essential as medical treatment in Barbados can be very expensive. Local private clinics provide good on the spot treatment with minor surgery in some cases. State hospital can cope with many surgical requirements but serious cases that require specialist treatment will mean emergency evacuation (usually to USA)

Dengue Fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. Dengue Fever is found throughout Barbados.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 2,200 adults aged 15 or over in Barbados were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.2% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.  For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Barbados and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

A (H1N1) – Swine Flu

There are confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) inBarbados. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its PandemicThreat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. Check swine flu for further information. Guidance about pandemic flu is available through the UK Department of Health. For more general health information see travel health.