Cholera in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has reported cases of cholera in recent weeks. On 28 December 2022, the Ministry of Public Health confirmed 2 cases in the La Zurza sector of the National District. Neither of these people had traveled outside the country.

As of 28 December 2022, a total of 10 confirmed cholera cases were reported in the Dominican Republic. Two of these have been imported from neighbouring Haiti, where there is a large cholera outbreak.

While case numbers are small at this time, authorities remain alert to the possibility of further transmission.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of faecally contaminated food or water, and occasionally foodstuffs such as shellfish.

Advice for Travellers

Severe cholera is rare in travellers. Mild cases may present as travellers' diarrhoea.

All travellers should be given advice on:

• maintaining safe food and water precautions
• effective hand hygiene
• basic steps in self-treating diarrhoea, particularly remaining adequately hydrated

Vaccination against cholera is dependent on the individual risk assessment, but may be considered for:

• volunteers/humanitarian workers/medical personnel travelling to disaster relief situations where cholera outbreaks are likely
• travellers with remote itineraries in areas where cholera outbreaks are occurring and there is limited access to medical care

For more information, please see the TRAVAX Cholera Page.