Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Travel Vaccines 2026

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.K.'s National Health Service (NHS) recommend several travel vaccines, including those for rabies, measles, typhoid, and hepatitis, for individuals visiting Puerto Rico in 2026. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Canadian government have issued Travel Health Notices regarding Dengue and Zika virus outbreaks in Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico Department of Health issued Arboviral Disease Reports, and the Portal Oficial del Gobierno de Puerto Rico was updated as of December 2025. The Health Ministry BioPortal electronic system was introduced as the primary tool for reporting diseases and conditions. 

Puerto Rico Chikungunya Outbreaks

Chikungunya is an acute viral disease transmitted by the Aedes aeqypti mosquito in Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico, the first laboratory-confirmed case was in May 2014. Susan Hills, MBBS, MTH, presented on June 26, 2024, at the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases: Chikungunya epidemiology in U.S. territories and states with risk of transmission. In 2024, chikungunya disease outbreaks were reported throughout the Region of the Americas. Chikungunya vaccines are available in the U.S.

Puerto Rico Dengue Outbreaks

The U.S. CDC states that the Dengue virus is endemic in Puerto Rico. The level of risk can also vary between regions within Puerto Rico and depends on the elevation in each area. In March 2025, the first dengue-related fatality was an 85-year-old patient who resided in the Mayagüez region. U.S. CDC data as of December 31, 2025, reported 3,154 Dengue cases.

The Dengue data portal was updated in 2024, indicating 6,431 cases and 13 related fatalities, led by San Juan (17.3%). A Dengue health emergency was declared in March 2024 and remains in effect. On February 20, 2024, the CDC published MMWR 74(5): 54–60, "Dengue Outbreak and Response — Puerto Rico." As of December 31, 2023, week #52, 1,242 dengue cases were reported in Puerto Rico. Overall, severe dengue was identified in 4.2% of cases, with 11 reported fatalities (0.2%).

In a 10-year analysis of 1,432 patients with dengue infections in Puerto Rico, 263 (18%) had dengue without warning signs, 788 (55%) had warning signs, 381 (27%) had severe dengue, and two patients (0.1%) died. During the 2010–2013 outbreak, dengue virus (DENV) serotype 1 (DENV-1) was the predominant serotype. After a 10-year decline, DENV-2 and DENV-3 experienced significant increases during 2023–2024, with DENV-3 overtaking DENV-1 as the predominant serotype by 2024, at 57%.

In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Dengvaxia vaccine for individuals aged 9–16 years with laboratory evidence of prior dengue infection and residing in areas where dengue is endemic. However, as of September 2024, Puerto Rico's Health Department issued a Notice of Discontinuation for the Dengvaxia vaccine. As of June 2025, the Health Ministry reports that Dengvaxia vaccinations continue for children with laboratory-confirmed prior dengue virus infection, who are eligible for vaccination. In 2025, Puerto Rico continued administering the first-generation Dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, to 82 people. 

Puerto Rico Malaria Outbreaks

The U.K.'s Fit for Travel website warns visitors about malaria in 2024. The U.S. CDC advises travelers to be informed of the risks before visiting countries with malaria outbreaks and to take recommended precautions, including avoiding mosquito exposure. The two approved malaria vaccines are available in Africa.

Puerto Rico Oropouche Virus

In 2025, the Puerto Rico Department of Health notified health professionals of the Oropouche virus outbreak in the Americas, affecting countries including Chile, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, and Panama.

Puerto Rico Zika Cases

According to the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico has been categorized as having a risk of mosquito-transmitted Zika virus (ZIKV) for several years. In 2025, one Zika case was confirmed. As of 2024, 16 Zika cases have been reported. There were 43 reported cases of the Zika virus in 2023. The U.S. CDC and Canada Health say that if you are pregnant, you should not travel to areas with Zika outbreaks in 2025.

Early-stage clinical trials for Zika vaccines are ongoing in 2025. For example, Valneva SE's VLA1601 is a second-generation, purified, inactivated whole-virus Zika vaccine candidate, with Phase 1 studies underway.

Puerto Rico Mosquitoes 

The primary mosquito vector of dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika viruses on the island of Puerto Rico is Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762). However, Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) and Aedes mediovittatus (Coquillett, 1906) have played significant roles in past outbreaks. Further complicating the issue is the recent detection of Aedes vittatus (Bigot, 1861) in the Caribbean.

Vaccine Certificates, Passports, Permits, and Visa For Visiting Puerto Rico in 2025

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. Costa Rica strictly enforces requirements for the departure of minors with dual citizenship. The U.S. State Department and the local Consulate do not have active Travel Advisories issued for Puerto Rico in 2025. The U.S. passport agency is Centro Gubernamental Minillas, Torre Norte, Piso 9, Avenida Jose de Diego, Parada 22, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00940. The Canadian government says visitors to Puerto Rico should take standard security precautions.