North and Central America and Caribbean

Health care is generally good for basic illnesses in St Vincent and the Grenadines; services are available at the primary and secondary levels.  There are 38 health centres, which facilitate the delivery of primary care.  Secondary care is offered at the General Hospital in Kingstown.  This is a 209-bed hospital offering some specialist care. For further specialist care it may be necessary to be medically evacuated by air ambulance to Barbados or Trinidad. Acute care, not requiring specialist intervention, is also provided by five rural hospitals.

There is a confirmed human case of Influenza A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) in St Vincent.  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 monitor local media reports for any further developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.

Dengue fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region.  Dengue Fever is found throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines.  

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 St Vincent 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.

For more general health information see Travel Health.