Latest information about coronavirus disease (COVID-19) risks
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Saint Kitts and Nevis (Caribbean)

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Advice for All Destinations Vaccinations Malaria Other Health Risks Alerts News

COVID-19

Due to the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, international border closures and travel restrictions may be imposed or change without notice.

Before making travel plans you should check all of the following:

  • check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website for country specific Travel Advisory Notices (travel restrictions) and entry requirements
  • click the 'Alerts' link on the menu above for details of your risk of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) in this country 
  • the 'News' section will highlight if there if there has been significant case increases or outbreaks and/or emerging or known variants of coronavirus (COVID-19) in this country 
  • check the GOV.UK website for self-isolation (quarantine) rules for when you return to the UK
  • read the information on the COVID-19: Health Considerations for Travel page

Advice for All Destinations

If you're planning to travel outside the UK, your travel health needs will depend on your individual situation, including:

  • your destination
  • how long you'll stay
  • what you’ll be doing
  • your general health

Ideally consult with your travel healthcare practitioner 6-8 weeks in advance of travel. If your trip is sooner, contact them anyway, they may still be able to help and its never too late to seek advice.

Many of the health problems experienced by travellers cannot be prevented by vaccinations and other measures need to be taken. These include food and water safety, accident prevention, care with sun exposure, avoiding insect bites and animal bites, and practicing good respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene.

For advice about travelling abroad, including the latest information on safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings you should visit the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website.

If you will be travelling with medication (including over the counter medication) you should check for any restrictions on medications before you travel, you can do this by contacting the embassy of the country you're visiting.

Ensure you have travel insurance and are fully covered for medical emergencies including repatriation. 

Make sure you know how to access healthcare at your destination: 

  • A list of doctors and medical facilities worldwide can be accessed on the FCDO website.
  • A worldwide list of travel clinics, run by members of the International Society of Travel Medicine is available on their website.

If you are unwell on return from travel, seek medical attention and let your healthcare practitioner know where you have been.

Vaccinations

  • Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain - including for example, seasonal flu vaccine (if indicated), MMR, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions.
  • Courses or boosters usually advised: none.
  • Other vaccines to consider: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Tetanus.
  • Selectively advised vaccines - only for those individuals at highest risk: none.

  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate required for travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Notes on the diseases mentioned above

  • Hepatitis A:  spread through consuming contaminated food and water or person to person through the faecal-oral route.

    Risk is higher where personal hygiene and sanitation is poor.

    Risk is highest for those with underlying medical conditions where there is increased risk of severe disease e.g. chronic liver/kidney disease; haemophiliacs; men who have sex with men; people who inject drugs.

  • Hepatitis B:  spread through infected blood and blood products, contaminated needles and medical instruments and sexual intercourse.

    Risk is higher for long stays, frequent travel and for children (exposed through cuts and scratches), those who may require medical treatment during travel.

    Risk is highest for those with underlying medical conditions where there is increased risk of severe disease e.g. chronic liver/kidney disease; haemophiliacs; men who have sex with men; people who change partners frequently; people who inject drugs.

  • Tetanus:  spread through contamination of cuts, burns and wounds with tetanus spores. Spores are found in soil worldwide. A total of 5 doses of tetanus vaccine are recommended for life in the UK. Boosters are usually recommended in a country or situation where the correct treatment of an injury may not be readily available.

Malaria

  • Malaria not normally present unless the illness was contracted abroad.

Other Health Risks

Dengue Fever

A viral illness that is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites. The mosquito that spreads dengue bites during the day and is more common in urban areas. Symptoms include fever, headache, severe joint, bone and muscular pain - hence its other name 'breakbone fever'. There is no vaccine and prevention is through avoidance of mosquito bites. For further information see Dengue Fever. 

Alerts

COVID-19

There is a risk of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) in this country.

Please be aware that the risk of COVID-19 in this country may change at short notice and also consider your risk of exposure in any transit countries and from travelling itself. 

  • The 'News' section on this page will advise if significant case increases or outbreaks have occurred in this country.

Prior to travel, you should:

  • Check the latest government guidance on the FCDO Foreign travel advice and country specific pages for travel to this country and the rules for entering the UK on return.
  • Ensure you are up to date with UK recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Check if you are at increased risk of severe COVID-19. 
    • You can check this in the FAQ's.
    • If you are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 you should carefully consider your travel plans and consider seeking medical advice prior to making any decisions.

For further information, see Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and COVID-19: Health Considerations for Travel pages.

Zika Virus Infection

This country has been categorised as having a risk of Zika (ZIKV) virus transmission.

ZIKV is mainly spread through mosquito bites. The mosquito responsible most commonly bites during daylight hours and is common in towns and cities. There is a low risk of sexual transmission.

The illness is usually mild but infection during pregnancy may lead to babies being born with birth defects. There is no vaccine currently available against ZIKV.

Advice for All Travellers

You should practice strict mosquito bite avoidance at all times.
Do not travel without adequate travel insurance.
Seek pre-travel health advice from a travel health professional 6 to 8 weeks in advance of travel.

  • If you are pregnant, consider postponing non-essential travel to this country.
  • If you are planning pregnancy, or there is a possibility you may be pregnant, you should use contraception and condoms during travel and for:
  • 2 months afterwards if you are female
  • 3 months afterwards if you are male

These measures reduce the chance of sexual transmission of ZIKV and/or the risk of ZIKV infection in pregnancy.

For further information, see Zika virus infection page.

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