Health risks

Honduras is a democracy with a developing economy. The national language is Spanish, although English is often spoken in the Bay Islands.

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The climate is generally pleasant and temperate, with dry and wet seasons. The terrain ranges from mountainous to coastal beaches and jungle lowlands. Hotels and restaurants are generally adequate in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, the Bay Islands and the Copan ruins.

CRIME: The security situation in Honduras requires a high degree of caution. Many men in Honduras carry firearms and machetes, and disputes are sometimes settled with violence. Violent and petty crime are prevalent throughout the country. While crime affects everyone in Honduras, criminals have at times targeted tourists, particularly those coming from airports (a cycle of armed robberies followed by brief increases in police patrols) and hotels, as well as wealthy-looking residents in San Pedro Sula, Tela, Trujillo, and Tegucigalpa. Street crime is a principal concern, with thefts, including purse-snatching, pick-pocketing, assaults, and armed robberies on the rise in urban areas.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care in Honduras varies in quality. Although doctors are generally well trained, support staff and facilities are not up to western standards. Facilities for advanced surgical procedures are not available. The islands of Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja do not have a general surgery hospital. There is a decompression chamber on Roatan for divers. Travellers carrying prescription medicine should ensure that the medication is clearly labeled.

Arthropodborne diseases:

Malaria
Chagas disease
Leishmaniasis
Dengue fever

We recommend to prevent Arthropodborne diseases:

Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
Usage of insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing
Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses

Water- and foodborne diseases:

Amoebiasis
Brucellosis
Cholera
Hepatitis A
Typhoid fever

Other diseases:

Hepatitis B
Rabies

Vaccinations recommended:

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years
Yellow fever when entering from a yellow fever endemic region.

Stay healthy:

Wash hands often with soap and water.
Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
Do not travel at night
Trafic accidents are frequent, be careful
Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
Use chloroquine as malaria prophylaxis

Compulsory vaccinations: yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas.

Recommended immunisations: *diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, malaria, polio, *TB, tetanus, typhoid * recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: malaria risk is high & widespread all year. Risk is highest in the sanitary region VI, including in the Islas De La Bahia. Risk is low in Tegucigalpa & San Pedro Sula. Rabies.

Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:

Malaria: Yes, All year in whole country
Maliaria Risk Category: A
Trypanasoma Cruzi Risk: Yes
Sub Saharan Africa: No
West Nile Virus Risk: No

Yellow fever vaccination requirements and recommendations and malaria situation in Honduras
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to Honduras and prevention before arrival at Honduras.

Travel data, health safety, warnings and recommendations for Canadian who willing to visit Honduras