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
Cuba is a developing nation classified as upper middle income. Located in the Caribbean Sea (south of the US and north of Jamaica), 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 Cuba, 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 ≥ 9 months 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 chikungunya, COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, mpox, 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, including 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 brucellosis, seafood poisoning may be needed.
Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases
Dengue, West Nile virus, Zika may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.
Other Disease and Health Risks
Additional concerns include air pollution, 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
Moderate risk of violent crime (armed robbery, sexual assault, and assault) and moderate risk of petty crime exist throughout the country, especially in markets and on beaches in Havana (particularly in Old Havana and Centro Habana municipalities, Vedado neighborhood, and the area of Malecón), Playa del Este, Santiago de Cuba, and Varadero. Theft of items from checked baggage in airports is common.
Theft of valuables from unattended vehicles and accommodations is common.
Scams involving the use of distraction techniques to commit robbery, false befriending, and false identity (such as criminals posing as tour guides) have been reported.
Civil Unrest
Protests and demonstrations may infrequently occur and have the potential to turn violent without warning. Bystanders are at risk of harm from violence or from the response by authorities. Disruption to transportation, free movement, or the ability to carry out daily activities may occur.
Transportation Safety
Risk of traffic-related injury or death exists. The road traffic death rate is 7 to 12 per 100,000 population. The rate is less than 10 in most high-income countries.
Seat belt laws are poorly enforced.
Structural standards for vehicles may not meet international standards.
Natural Disasters
The hurricane season is from June through November. Floods, mudslides, and landslides may occur.
Seismic and volcanic activity occur.
Consular Information
Selected Embassies or Consulates in Cuba
- United States: [+53] 7-839-4100; cu.usembassy.gov
- Canada: [+53] 7-204-2516; www.cuba.gc.ca
- United Kingdom: [+53] 7-214-2200; www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-havana
- Australia: Australia does not have an embassy or consulate in Cuba.
Cuba's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries
- In the U.S.: misiones.minrex.gob.cu/en/usa
- In Canada: misiones.minrex.gob.cu/en/canada
- In the U.K.: misiones.minrex.gob.cu/en/united-kingdom
- In Australia: misiones.minrex.gob.cu/en/australia
