North and Central America and Caribbean

In some areas of Trinidad and Tobago medical facilities can be limited and may not be up to UK standards.  Private clinics are able to treat most ordinary problems, but there may be a need for medical evacuation to Miami or elsewhere in cases of serious accident or illness.  You should check that your insurance covers this.

Dengue Fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. There has been a marked increase in the number of reported cases in Trinidad in 2008.

There have been some reports of a yellow fever outbreak amongst the monkey populations in rural forested areas on the island of Trinidad.  This has lead to an increased demand for yellow fever vaccines from hospitals and clinics.

Please refer to your GP and advice contained within the links below for guidance.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 13,000 adults aged 15 or over in Trinidad & Tobago were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.5% 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 Trinidad & Tobago 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 information see Travel Health and Swine Flu and the UK Department of Health at: www.dh.gov.uk .