North and Central America and Caribbean

There is one confirmed human case of A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) in the British Virgin Islands.  You can check for updates on the number ofcases and their location throught the British Virgin Islands'Department of Disaster Management at www.bviddm.com.  The World HealthOrganisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to level 6. The WHO website has further details.  You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice.  There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the Department of Health website.

There is only one hospital in the BVI and medical facilities are limited.  Complex medical problems are frequently referred to hospitals in the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or the mainland USA.  The US visa waiver scheme does not apply to one-off charter flights.  Special arrangements have to be made for any non-US visa holder who is medically evacuated by charter flight.

The dengue mosquito is found in BVI, and you should take normal precautions against mosquito bites.

There is no hyperbaric chamber in the BVI.  Patients requiring treatment for decompression illness are transferred to St John, US Virgin Islands.  Most sensitive medical cases are transferred to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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 BVI 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 NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

A (H1N1) – Swine Flu

There are confirmed cases of A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) in the British Virgin Islands. You can check for updates on the number of cases and their location through the British Virgin Islands' Department of Disaster Management at www.bviddm.com. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice.  There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.