Potential health issues from travelling to Cuba?

Question

I have heard rumors that there is a brain-eating amoeba that you can catch in Cuba. You get really bad headaches and then 2 weeks later you die.

Also I heard that if you eat the fruit you'll get intestinal worms.

Are these true, or are there any other negative things I should watch out for?

Answer 1

.All nonsense periodically  S. Florida  Cuban dissidents put out  stuff like that to try to dissuade tourists from going Cuba.  A couple of years ago they were spreading the rumour that Cubans were planning on  poisoning Canadian tourists

Answer 2

The brain-eating amoeba is actually from Texas and only affects politicians !

(And it is estimated that 40 million US residents have intestinal worms - I doubt that many got them in Cuba.)

Answer 3

That are indeed rumors , never heard of such stories and I am travelling to the island since 1990.

Cuba has a good health service and the average Cuban is healthy.......BUT

As always take some precaucions , never drink tapwater even if they say it's ok ,

In Cuba I eat each morning fruit , bananas,melon, pineapple, ananas etc. and I am still healthy after all these years.

So in general the fruit is OK , but avoid fruit drinks or juices they sell on the beach or streets, you don't know anything about the quality, drink bottled water or a canned softdrink.

As precaution take a anti-diarrhoea (ex. Imodium) and  antibiotics. The change of food can cause diarrhoea. A small first aid kit can help . In general the medical service in Cuba is good, but the supplies of medicines are not always sufficient.

Don't worry about the health issue , there are a lot more postive things than negative in Cuba . Take your precautions and go ...enjoy your trip

and visit Havana http://www.havana-guide.com

Answer 4

No it's not true. Cuba is one of the cleanest islands you can go to. I go to Cuba and never get sick and many others travel and never get sick.

But of course be a smart traveller and drink bottled water. The water at the hotel used in the restaurants and bars are purified. The food is well cooked. Most of the fruit there is fruit you can peel yourself. I've always eaten the papayas, pineapples and melons and never get sick.

I don't always eat salads here in Canada because of the way they're prepared and not always clean (depending on who's preparing it and how it's done). If you don't wish to eat salads, then don't.

Sometimes what can happen is your stomach might react to the combination of the heat, climate change along with the change of food. Naturally, it's a different environment. If you want to take something with you IN CASE you get diarrhea, then do so. The doctors on the resorts are WELL-qualified and well-trained. They will be able to help you with anything as well.

Just don't throw caution to the wind. Eat carefully on vacation as you would at home.

Check the link below. There is no need for vaccinations either. You'll be fine, especially if you have rum everyday....that'll kill anything lol ;-)

Don't worry, you won't die!

Have a great time!