Malaria risk in Port-au-Prince

Malaria Prevention Guide for Port-au-Prince

Malaria is a serious disease spread through mosquito bites. Infected mosquitoes carry parasites that cause fever, chills, and can become life-threatening without treatment. In Port-au-Prince, risk is moderate at 55 out of 100, meaning you need to take real precautions.

Local risk factors include year-round warm weather that allows mosquitoes to breed, poor drainage in many neighborhoods creating standing water, limited access to medical care in some areas, and inconsistent use of bed nets. The Anopheles mosquito here bites mainly between dusk and dawn, with peak activity around 10 PM to 4 AM.

Here are your key prevention steps:

1. Use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin every evening. Reapply every few hours if outdoors. This single habit cuts your bite risk dramatically.

2. Sleep under a long-lasting insecticide-treated bed net every single night, even if you use a fan or air conditioning. Check nets for holes and tuck them under your mattress.

3. Wear long sleeves and pants after sunset. Light-colored clothing helps you spot mosquitoes and they are less attracted to it.

4. Stay in accommodations with screened windows and doors. If you are in basic housing, use a fan, close windows by dusk, and consider treating your room with a plug-in insecticide vaporizer.

5. Take antimalarial medication as prescribed by your doctor before, during, and after your trip. No prevention method is perfect on its own. Combining medication with physical barriers gives you the strongest protection.

If you develop fever, headache, or muscle pain during or after your visit, seek medical care immediately and mention your travel history. Early treatment saves lives.