Update: Malaria Prevention Recommendations: Dominican Republic

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated recommendations for the prevention of malaria in travelers to the Dominican Republic. Transmission of P. falciparum malaria continues to be present in the provinces bordering Haiti, and the provinces (including resort areas) of Santo Domingo and La Altagracia Province. The city of Santo Domingo (Distrito Nacional) had locally transmitted P. falciparum malaria cases in 2015, 2016, and two cases reported in July 23–24, 2017. Sporadic cases occur in all other parts of the country. CDC will continue to follow the malaria situation in the city of Santo Domingo and will update recommendations as needed.

With this updated assessment, malaria prophylaxis is now recommended for the provinces bordering Haiti, the provinces (including resort areas) of Santo Domingo (except the city of Santo Domingo [Distrito Nacional]) and La Altagracia. The effective antimalarial options include chloroquine, atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone®), doxycycline, and mefloquine. For all other areas of the country including the city of Santo Domingo (Distrito Nacional), antimalarials are not recommended, however, measures should still be taken to prevent mosquito bites

In addition to malaria, other diseases are spread by mosquito bites, therefore measures to prevent mosquito bites should be taken regardless of area of travel. These measures include using insect repellent when outdoors, staying in an air-conditioned or well-screened building, and sleeping under an insecticide-treated bed net.

See CDC’s malaria website for additional health information about malaria including prevention of mosquito bites and drugs for malaria prevention. For general health information for travelers to all areas of the world, see CDC Traveler’s Health website.