The information on these pages should be used to research health risks and to inform the pre-travel consultation. For advice regarding safety and security please check the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.

Travellers should ideally arrange an appointment with their health professional at least four to six weeks before travel. However, even if time is short, an appointment is still worthwhile. This appointment provides an opportunity to assess health risks taking into account a number of factors including destination, medical history, and planned activities. For those with pre-existing health problems, an earlier appointment is recommended.

While most travellers have a healthy and safe trip, there are some risks that are relevant to travellers regardless of destination. These may for example include road traffic and other accidents, diseases transmitted by insects or ticks, diseases transmitted by contaminated food and water, sexually transmitted infections, or health issues related to the heat or cold.

All travellers should ensure they have adequate travel health insurance.

A list of useful resources including advice on how to reduce the risk of certain health problems is available below.

Resources

• Food and water hygiene
• Insect and tick bite avoidance
• Personal safety
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Sun protection

Details of vaccination recommendations and requirements are provided below.

All Travellers

Travellers should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK. These vaccinations include for example measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine.

Those who may be at increased risk of an infectious disease due to their work, lifestyle choice, or certain underlying health problems should be up to date with additional recommended vaccines. See the individual chapters of the ‘Green Book’ Immunisation against infectious disease for further details.

Certificate Requirements

Please read the information below carefully, as certificate requirements may be relevant to certain travellers only. For travellers further details, if required, should be sought from their healthcare professional.

There is no risk of yellow fever on these islands, however, there are certificate requirements as listed below:

• Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten and Curacao: Under International Health Regulations, a certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required from travellers over 6 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
• Infants from 6 months may be vaccinated when the risk of yellow fever is high (expert opinion should be sought in these situations).
• According to World Health Organization (WHO), from 11 July 2016 (for all countries), the yellow fever certificate will be valid for the duration of the life of the person vaccinated. As a consequence, a valid certificate, presented by arriving travellers, cannot be rejected on the grounds that more than ten years have passed since the date vaccination became effective as stated on the certificate; and that boosters or revaccination cannot be required. See WHO Q&A.
• Aruba have not stated their yellow fever vaccination certificate requirements.
• Due to an outbreak of yellow fever in Brazil 2017, country certificate requirements may be updated at short notice. Please check Pan American Health Organisation for updated or additional requirements for the international certificate of vaccination or prophylaxis. 
• View the WHO list of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
• See also: Saint Martin (France)

Most Travellers

The vaccines in this section are recommended for most travellers visiting this country. Information on these vaccines can be found by clicking on the blue arrow. Vaccines are listed alphabetically.

Some Travellers

The vaccines in this section are recommended for some travellers visiting this country. Information on when these vaccines should be considered can be found by clicking on the arrow. Vaccines are listed alphabetically.

The risk below may be present in all or part of the country.

Dengue

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes which predominantly feed between dawn and dusk.  It causes a flu-like illness, which can occasionally develop into a more serious life-threatening forms of the disease. Severe dengue is rare in travellers.

The mosquitoes that transmit dengue are most abundant in towns, cities and surrounding areas. All travellers to dengue areas are at risk.

Dengue in Netherlands (Caribbean Islands)

Dengue is known or has the potential to occur in this country.

Prevention

• All travellers should avoid mosquito bites particularly between dawn and dusk.
• There is no vaccination or medication to prevent dengue.

Dengue in brief

Zika Virus

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes which predominantly feed between dawn and dusk. A small number of cases of sexual transmission of ZIKV have also been reported. Most people infected with ZIKV have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur they are usually mild and short-lived. Serious complications and deaths are not common. However, there is now scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause of congenital Zika syndrome (microcephaly and other congenital anomalies) and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Zika virus in Caribbean Islands (Netherlands): Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba and Sint Eustatius

These islands are considered to have a high risk of ZIKV transmission. Pregnant women are advised to postpone non-essential travel until after pregnancy.  Details of specific affected areas are not available.

Zika virus in Caribbean Islands (Netherlands):  Sint Maarten

This island is considered to have a moderate risk of Zika virus transmission. Pregnant women should consider postponing non-essential travel until after the pregnancy.  Details of specific affected areas within this country are not available.

Prevention

• All travellers should avoid mosquito bites particularly between dawn and dusk.
• There is no vaccination or medication to prevent ZIKV infection.
• It is recommended that pregnant women planning to travel to areas with a high risk of ZIKV transmission should postpone non-essential travel until after pregnancy.
• It is recommended that pregnant women planning to travel to areas with a moderate risk of ZIKV transmission should postpone non-essential travel until after pregnancy.
• Women should avoid becoming pregnant while travelling in, and for 8 weeks after leaving an area with active ZIKV transmission or 8 weeks after last possible ZIKV exposure. 
• Couples should follow guidance on prevention of sexual transmission of Zika and avoid conception while travelling and for up to 6 months on return
• If a woman develops symptoms compatible with ZIKV infection, it is recommended she avoids becoming pregnant for a further 8 weeks following recovery.
• Pregnant women who visited this country while pregnant, or who become pregnant within 8 weeks of leaving this country or within 8 weeks after last possible ZIKV exposure, should contact their GP, obstetrician or midwife for further advice, even if they have not been unwell. Further information about when to perform fetal ultrasound scanning, and, if necessary, referral to the local fetal medicine service is available.

Preventing sexual transmission

• Most cases of ZIKV are acquired via mosquito bites but cases of sexual transmission of ZIKV are occasionally reported.
• See further information for pregnant women, their partners and couples planning pregnancy.

See detailed guidance on factors to consider when assessing the risk of ZIKV. 

Zika virus in brief