When Visiting Haiti, Avoid Dogs Infected With Rabies

The Republic of Haiti has the highest rate of human rabies in the Western Hemisphere, with infected dogs being the primary carriers of this severe virus.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions, Travel Health Notice issued on November 25, 2025, there have been an increased cases of rabies reported in animals and humans in Haiti.

Additionally, one case of rabies has been reported in the U.S. in a traveler from Haiti.

The CDC writes that travelers to Haiti, located on the western portion of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, who may have been exposed to rabies, should immediately seek medical care. Upon returning home, travelers should follow up with their health care provider as soon as possible.

The CDC previously confirmed that rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease for both animals and people.

Achieving an estimated 80% vaccination coverage among Haiti's dog population, as recommended by PAHO's Regional Rabies Elimination Program and the Directors of Rabies Programs in the Americas, is expected to reduce rabies virus circulation in dogs significantly.

"Despite the challenges and limitations posed by the security situation and the overall instability in the country, we consider this vaccination campaign a significant success," said Dr Haïm Joseph Corvil, Protection Unit Coordinator at the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, in a previous PAHO media release.

And the CDC says: Consider getting vaccinated against rabies before travel if you might come into contact with dogs, cats, or wildlife, or plan to work with animals during a visit to Haiti.

In the United States, travel clinics and pharmacies currently offer preventive and reactive rabies vaccination services.