Entry Requirements

Vector related threats:

• Yellow Fever is common in the tropical and subtropical areas of South America and Africa. Worldwide, about 600 million people live in endemic areas. The yellow fever virus is mainly transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. Jamaica is free of yellow fever. In accordance with the Public Health Act,Quarantine Act 1951, Revised 1991, travelers are required to provide Verification of the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, ICVP for Yellow Fever if the passenger is travelling from Yellow Fever Endemic areas.

• Malaria is common in Africa, parts of South and Cental America as well as in Asia. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected Anopholes mosquito. Jamaica successfully eliminated Malaria in 2011 and as such remains vulnerable to reintroduction as the vector for spread is still present.

Highly infectious infections:

• Ebola Virus Disease is found in selected countries in West Africa and is transmittedfrom person to person by means of direct contact with the body fluids of infected symptomatic persons. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current Ebola outbreak in Central Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 17 May 2026 under the International Health Regulations (2005). The declaration followed the rapid escalation of cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the occurrence of cross-border transmission into Uganda, and concerns regarding the potential for further international spread. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, for which there is currently no licensed vaccine or specific therapeutic treatment, presenting additional challenges for outbreak control. The WHO Emergency Committee recognized that the event constitutes a significant public health risk requiring a
  coordinated international response, enhanced surveillance, strengthened preparedness measures, and increased support to affected countries. The PHEIC declaration serves to mobilize global attention, technical expertise, and resources to contain the outbreak, reduce morbidity and mortality, and prevent further regional and international spread of the disease.
  Although the WHO assesses the risk as high in the African region and low globally, the Ministry of health and Wellness has further enhanced its port of entry health surveillance and as such, Jamaicans or travellers to Jamaica, who have no symptoms, but have travelled to affected countries or transited through same in the last 21 days will be asked to self-quarantine under the supervision of the health department. Persons with symptoms will be classified as suspected cases and will be isolated.

• Cholera continues to be reported in several regions of the world, including parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, particularly in Haiti. The disease is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and is primarily transmitted through the consumption of food or water contaminated with human faeces. Ongoing outbreaks are often associated with inadequate access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services, as well as humanitarian emergencies and population displacement. The continued global circulation of cholera highlights the importance of robust surveillance, rapid detection, effective case management, and sustained investments in water, sanitation, and public health infrastructure.

Routine Vaccine Preventable Conditions:

As Jamaica has successfully implemented its national immunization Programme against vaccine preventable diseases, it is of paramount importance that the reintroduction of diseases such as Measles and Diphtheria do not occur. In accordance with Jamaica’s Public Health (Immunization)Regulations 1986, Jamaican children are routinely vaccinated against Tuberculosis, Poliomyelitis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B and Haemophilus Influenza Type B. Measles and Diphtheria are of particular concern at this time.

• Measles continues to be a significant public health concern globally and across the Americas. The disease is caused by a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat of an infected person and spreads through respiratory droplets generated by coughing, sneezing, or close contact. The virus can remain viable in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area. During 2025 and 2026, several countries in the Americas, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Argentina, reported increases in measles cases and outbreaks, largely associated with declining vaccination coverage and international travel. The resurgence of measles highlights the importance of maintaining high levels of immunization, strengthening surveillance systems, and ensuring the rapid detection and response to suspected cases to prevent further transmission.

• Diphtheria continues to be reported in several countries, including Yemen, Nigeria, Pakistan, and other areas experiencing humanitarian crises, conflict, or gaps in routine immunization coverage. Yemen remains particularly vulnerable due to prolonged disruptions to healthcare services and population displacement, which have contributed to recurrent outbreaks. The continued occurrence of diphtheria in these countries underscores the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage, strengthening surveillance systems, and ensuring the rapid identification and treatment of suspected cases to prevent further spread and reduce mortality.

Seasonal Outbreaks:

• Seasonal influenza is an acute viral infection that spreads easily from person to person and can affect any age group. In temperate climates, seasonal epidemics occur mainly during winter while in tropical regions, the seasonality is less obvious and epidemics can occur throughout the year. Seasonal influenza is a serious public health problem that causes severe illness and death in high risk populations. There are 4 types of seasonal influenza viruses, types A, B, C and D, with A and B causing seasonal epidemics of disease. Influenza A viruses are further classified into subtypes and currently the circulating ones in humans are subtype A (H1N1) and A(H3N2). Only type A viruses are known to have caused pandemics.