MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical care is more limited than in the United States. Comprehensive emergency medical services are located only in Kingston and Montego Bay, and smaller public hospitals are located in each parish. Emergency medical and ambulance services, and the availability of prescription drugs, are limited in outlying parishes. Ambulance service is limited both in the quality of emergency care and in the availability of vehicles in remote parts of the country. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals often require cash payment prior to providing services. If a medical evacuation is required, the Embassy recommends you contact the American Citizen Services Unit at (876) 702-6000 for assistance.

Numerous cases of dengue fever, including two afflicting Americans, were reported in Jamaica in 2007, the first in many years. Americans are urged to read the Centers for Disease Control’s Fact Sheet on dengue fever and particularly to follow the guidance on deterring mosquitoes at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/dengue/resources/DengueFactSheet.pdf

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s Internet site at Travelers' Health | CDC. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at WHO | World Health Organization. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

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