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The U.S. Department of State announced on November 21, 2024, that the Department ended the voluntary departure of non-emergency U.S. direct hire employees and their eligible family members due to restoring power to Havana and other clean-up and restoration efforts from Hurricane Rafael.
However, travel by U.S. Embassy employees outside Havana still requires a special notification process, which may affect the Embassy’s ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens when visiting Cuba.
The Embassy suggests that visitors enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive alerts and make locating you in an emergency easier. About 200,000 people from around the world visit Cuba monthly.
Seperately the U.S. CDC says to be aware of current health issues in Cuba and vaccination options.
Currently, there is an outbreak of Oropouche in Cuba, with about 90 cases reported in Florida by visitors from Cuba.
Chikungunya, dengue, and zika viruses are year-round risks in many parts of the Americas, including Cuba.
The Florida Department of Health (FDH) published its Arbovirus Surveillance Update 46 on November 16, 2024, disclosing mosquito-borne disease cases, including chikungunya and dengue fever.
In Florida, 14 species of mosquitoes have been found to transmit diseases to humans.
As of November 2024, Alachua, Bay, Broward, Holmes, Madison, Mantatee, Nassau, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Volusia counties are under a mosquito-borne illness advisory.
Additionally, Duval, Hillsborough, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Walton counties are currently under a mosquito-borne illness alert.
- 786 travel-associated dengue cases were reported, mainly by Brazil, Cuba, and Puerto Rico visitors.
- 90 Oropouche cases were reported in individuals with a travel history to an endemic area such as Cuba. Miami-Dade led the Florida counties with 53 cases.
- 66 cases of locally acquired dengue were reported from six counties, led by Miami-Dade with 40.
- 63 cases of malaria were reported in individuals with a travel history to a malaria-endemic area, such as Africa (Nigeria).
- 9 chikungunya cases with an onset in 2024 have been reported in individuals with a travel history to Brazil (5) and India (4).
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Canada Health, and the United Kingdom have not issued vaccination requirements for visitors to Florida in 2024.
In Florida, the newly approved chikungunya vaccine (IXCHIQ®) is available at many pharmacies, but dengue and malaria vaccines are currently unavailable in the U.S.
Over the past few days, announcements have indicated more people may visit the Republic of El Salvador next year.
On November 1, 2024, Volaris El Salvador and Miami International Airport officials celebrated the launch of four weekly nonstop flights between San Salvador and Miami, Florida. In 2025, additional U.S. cities will also offer direct flights to this Central American destination.
On November 8, 2024, the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador reported significantly reducing gang-related activity and associated crime in the last two years. Recognizing these positive changes, the U.S. Department of State reduced its travel advisory to Level 2.
To keep visitors informed of local issues, the State Department recommends using major highways and roads and minimizing travel outside metropolitan areas when visiting El Salvador. It also recommends that visitors enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive alerts and make locating you in an emergency easier.
From a health perspective, the U.S. CDC says dengue outbreaks are a year-round risk in many parts of the world, including El Salvador. As of November 2024, over 7,200 dengue cases were reported, an increase from the 5,788 cases confirmed last year.
Additionally, chikungunya, another mosquito-transmitted disease, has been confirmed in 47 people this year.
"For U.S. travelers with plans to visit El Salvador, it's essential to receive the hepatitis A and typhoid fever vaccines before visiting because you'll want to sample many of the excellent Salvadorian foods while on vacation. Be sure you're up-to-date on all routine vaccines, like hepatitis B, flu, measles (MMR), and tetanus," Jeri Beales, MSN, R.N., informed Vax-Before-Travel.
"Mosquitos are also a problem throughout El Salvador, and cases of dengue fever are on the rise this year. Unfortunately, no vaccine is available in the U.S. to protect people against dengue, so be sure to use an insect repellant with at least 20% DEET."
"But, the good news for U.S. travelers is you can now vaccinate (IXCHIQ®) against the chikungunya illness and travelers no longer need to take malaria medication while in El Salvador because it has been eradicated from all parts of the country," added Beales, who leads Destination Health Clinic. This Boston-area travel health provider specializes in health education and vaccination for international travelers.
The CDC suggests visiting your healthcare provider at least a month before your trip to El Salvador to acquire necessary vaccines such as chikungunya or typhoid. Visit the CDC's page for the latest Travel Health Information.
A research letter published on October 30, 2024, at NEJM.org, documented vertical transmission of the Oropouche virus from a mother to an infant.
The case's ultrasound showed fetal demise, and Oropouche RNA was detected in several fetal samples, including the cerebrospinal fluid, placenta, and umbilical cord.
Oropouche virus has been found in semen, but it is unknown if it can be spread through sex.
While Oropouche virus outbreaks have historically been reported in the Amazon basin, during 2024, cases have been confirmed in various countries in the Region of the Americas, including Cuba.
The U.S. CDC confirmed multiple cases of Oropouche, which have recently been reported in the U.S. (Florida), and European travelers returning from travel to Cuba. The CDC suggests pregnant women reconsider non-essential travel to Cuba.
As of November 1, 2024, no vaccines are authorized to protect people from Oropouche.
