The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 1 – Practice Usual Precautions Travel Health Notice for Haiti after a rise in rabies cases was reported in late November 2025. Haiti continues to have the highest rate of human rabies in the Western Hemisphere, with infected dogs acting as the primary carriers of the deadly virus.
The CDC also confirmed that a U.S. traveler returning from Haiti was recently diagnosed with rabies, underscoring ongoing transmission concerns.
Travelers who may have been bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal should seek medical care immediately. The CDC also advises returning travelers to follow up promptly with their healthcare providers.
Rabies is vaccine-preventable, but once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal. Immediate treatment after exposure is essential.
Public health agencies continue working to reduce rabies circulation among Haiti’s dog population. Experts estimate that reaching 80% vaccination coverage in dogs—an international benchmark—would significantly cut transmission rates.
Despite political instability and safety challenges, recent dog vaccination campaigns have been considered a success.
Dr. Haïm Joseph Corvil of Haiti’s Ministry of Agriculture noted that these efforts mark meaningful progress toward controlling the virus.
The CDC advises travelers to Haiti to take the following precautions:
Preventive and post-exposure rabies vaccines are available at travel clinics and pharmacies.
