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General Map

General map of Bahamas

Medical Summary

The health risk information presented here is summarized from Shoreland Travax®, a decision-support tool used by health care providers to perform a detailed health risk analysis based on specific locations, individual travel styles, and traveler risk behaviors. Travax provides practitioners current, independently researched malaria risk and prevention recommendations in a map-based format that goes beyond the annual WHO and US CDC statements included here. Not included here are current reports from Travax of disease outbreaks or environmental events that may pose elevated risks to travelers’ health and safety. The Providers section of this site offers a directory of health care providers who utilize Shoreland Travax for travel health counseling. Learn more about the detailed reports and maps available from these practitioners (includes links to samples).

General Information

The Bahamas is a developing nation classified as high income. Located in the Atlantic Ocean (southeast of the US and north of Cuba), the climate is classified as humid equatorial (long dry season).

Vaccinations

Yellow Fever

See also: Library article for Yellow Fever

Although yellow fever does not occur in Bahamas, an official yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required depending on your itinerary.

  • Requirement: A certificate proving yellow fever vaccination is required for travelers aged ≥ 1 year coming from countries with risk of YF transmission. This also applies to airport transit stops (no exit through immigration checkpoint) longer than 12 hours in risk countries.

Other Vaccines

Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies, or typhoid fever. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed.

Malaria

See also: Library article for Malaria

The following is current information as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

WHO—International Travel and Health (current online update, Country List)

No statement given.

CDC—Health Information for International Travel (current online edition)

Areas with malaria: None.
Drug resistance: Not applicable.

Other Concerns

Travelers' Diarrhea

See also: Library article for Travelers' Diarrhea

Moderate risk exists throughout the country, with minimal risk in deluxe accommodations. Community sanitation and food safety measures may be inadequate. Some itineraries (e.g., remote destinations, austere accommodations) and activities (e.g., ecotourism, eating street or local-market food) further increase risk.

Travelers should observe food and beverage precautions, which reduce the likelihood of illness.

Travelers should carry loperamide for self-treatment of diarrhea and, if risk is moderate to high, an antibiotic to add if diarrhea is severe. Consult a knowledgeable health care provider regarding which antibiotic is appropriate for you and most effective for your destination.

Other Food-Borne Illnesses

Precautions to prevent seafood poisoning may be needed.

Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases

Chikungunya, dengue, West Nile virus may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.

Other Disease and Health Risks

Additional concerns include helminths, leptospirosis, marine hazards, sexually transmitted infections.

Consular Advice

The material below includes information from the US Department of State (DOS), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), as well as from additional open-source material. Standard safety precautions that apply to all international travel can be found in the Library article Safety and Security.

Terrorism Risk

No intrinsic risk of attack by terrorist groups exists, but unforeseen attacks are possible.

Crime

High risk of violent crime (armed robbery, sexual assault, home invasion, and murder) exists on New Providence Island (including Nassau and Paradise Island) and Grand Bahama (including Freeport).

Moderate risk of petty crime exists in Nassau and Freeport, including cruise ship ports and popular resort areas.

Risk exists of robberies and/or assaults occurring after consuming intentionally drugged food or drink; tourists are frequently targeted.

Water Safety

Basic safety standards for recreational water activities (including scuba diving, snorkeling, jet-skiing, kayaking, and tubing) are often not in place. Jet-ski operators have been known to commit sexual assaults against tourists. Rent water sports equipment from reputable operators. Scuba dive only with personnel certified by PADI or NAUI and use equipment only from PADI- or NAUI-certified dive operators.

Transportation Safety

National incidence data on traffic-related injury or death are not available.

Airline Safety

The US Federal Aviation Administration has determined that the civil aviation authority of this country oversees its air carriers in accordance with minimum international safety standards.

Natural Disasters

The hurricane season is from June through November. Floods may occur.

Consular Information

Selected Embassies or Consulates in the Bahamas

  • United States: [+242] 322-1181; bs.usembassy.gov
  • Canada: [+242] 393-2123/4; travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates/bahamas
  • United Kingdom: The U.K. does not have an embassy or consulate in The Bahamas.
  • Australia: [+242] 327-8301; trinidadandtobago.embassy.gov.au

The Bahamas' Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries

  • In the U.S.: www.bahamasembdc.org
  • In Canada: [+1] 613-232-1724
  • In the U.K.: www.bahamashclondon.net
  • In Australia: www.consulate.net.au

Visa/HIV Testing

HIV testing may be required to obtain a work or residence visa.