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Spring Break in Punta Cana, DR Malaria Advisory

by Betsy Chapman

The Student Health Service asked to have this information posted for parents.  There is a Malaria Advisory in the Punta Cana Resort Area for March 2015.  If your student is traveling to the Dominican Republic for Spring Break, please share this information with him/her and recommend your student contact Student Health to discuss preventative medication.

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The Quebec Department of Public Health has reported that three (3) Canadian citizens who traveled to resorts near Punta Cana and Bávaro Beach in the Dominican Republic since December 2014 have developed malaria. Previously, travelers to this resort area were not thought to be at risk for malaria.

Students traveling for spring break 2015 to resorts in the Punta Cana area or in the area nearBávaro Beach (in La Altagracia province in eastern Dominican Republic) should take precautions to limit their risk for acquiring malaria. These include:

1. Prophylactic antimalarial medication such as doxycycline or Malarone (atovoquone/proguanil). These are available through the Student Health Service pharmacy or can be obtained from your primary care physician.

2. Personal protective measures to minimize the risk of mosquito bites.

For more detailed information about preventing malaria please see:

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/malaria

If you are going to this region in the Dominican Republic for Spring Break and wish to get preventative medication from the Student Health Service, please contact the pharmacist by email (shs@wfu.edu) or by phone (336-758-5218 menu option “2”).

Contact

To contact the Office of Family Engagement or Family Communications, please visit our contact page.

 

For mental health assistance: 336-758-CARE (2273) is a service that ensures someone will always be available (i.e., 24/7 M-F, weekends and university holidays) to provide caring and thoughtful consultation services for Wake Forest students in need of mental health assistance or support. You can also visit we.wfu.edu for resources.