Following multiple reports of malaria among US travelers returning from the Dominican Republic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reminding travelers to most areas of the country to take malaria prevention measures.
The Dominican Republic, including tourist areas like Punta Cana and Puerto Plata continues to have malaria transmission. Malaria transmission is not seen in Santiago and Santo Domingo cities.
The CDC notes that there are many effective preventive antimalarial options for travel to these areas including: atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone), chloroquine (or hydroxychloroquine), doxycycline, or mefloquine.
Malaria and other diseases including dengue and chikungunya are spread by mosquito bites, therefore measures to prevent mosquito bites should be taken regardless of area of travel in the Dominican Republic. These measures include using insect repellent when outdoors, staying in an air-conditioned or well-screened area, and sleeping under an insecticide treated bed net during the peak biting period for mosquitoes (dusk and dawn).
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