Health and Safety Antigua and Barbuda

No vaccinations are required, but it is always wise to be up to date with reminders of DT-polio and hepatitis A (or B), and being in possession of a repatriation insurance - some requiring hospital payment before providing care.

There for some time a resurgence of dengue in the Caribbean in general and in the Caribbean. Not that you can do much, except to protect you from mosquitoes ... Impossible, however, to guard the no see 'ums ("invisible"), the tiny sand fleas that thrive in summer on the beach. Give up the pleasure of walking barefoot in the sand after the rain and dark. And, above all, do not scratch at the risk to prompt you want to tear the skin!

On a daily basis, watch out for sunburn and protect yourself with sunscreen with a high. White sand, reverberant, and the shallow waters and Antigua are betrayers of this view.
At sea, sharks are not really safe for swimmers simple, but the coral can inflict wounds that heal poorly. Do not touch: it's bad for him as for you. Also look out for sea urchins, jellyfish and currents sometimes violent.

Otherwise, know that Antigua is located in an area affected by ciguatera - the "scratch" intoxication due to algae, which can be transmitted by large carnivorous fish such as grouper, barracuda or kingfish. In contrast, tuna, pelagic, rarely forwards. Symptoms: itching of the palms and soles of the feet, tingling, tingling of the lips and nose, heavy legs, headaches, nausea ... In short, a great variety! Not to mention the symbolic burning sensation on contact with cold water. Some cases even fatal.There is no treatment. Healing is spontaneous and can be quick or long depending on the degree of intoxication. In retrospect, it is necessary to prevent marine product and any alcohol for at least three weeks.

Also, be careful mancenilliers (manchineels), these shrubs, in a seemingly innocuous, can be extremely dangerous. They secrete a toxin sap comparable in strength to the hydrochloric acid is found even in their fruits (like mini apples). Do not touch and do not even take shelter under when it rains ... The drops that slide along the leaves are in charge of poison and burn the skin. Tap water is all drinkable.

Emergencies

As the United States, it is 911 for fire and medical services. Otherwise, for hospital emergency Holberton St John's: 462-02-51.

Hazards and annoy

The atmosphere is just as harmful as one leaves the big hotels. Thefts from cars and episodic attacks do not grow too far in places marked. Police officers have, for example, recommended to climb on foot to Fort Barrington, which guards the entrance to the bay of St. John's from the south. Too bad for some solitary beaches, too discouraged ... Avoid driving at night: the lack of signage and rather poor condition of roads (twisty-prone) do not encourage. Potholes and other impromptu holes are so many traps that may leave marks on the body, especially as there is always a little less alert while driving on the left.