A Level 3 Travel Alert has been updated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

As of January 3, 2020, the CDC recommends that US residents avoid nonessential travel to certain affected parts of the Bahamas, including the Abacos and Grand Bahama Island.

Parts of the Bahamas, including the Abacos and Grand Bahama Island, have been severely affected by Hurricane Dorian.

US residents should avoid nonessential travel to affected parts of the Bahamas.

Affected by Hurricane Dorian on September 12, 2019, visitors to the Bahamas may experience serious health/safety risks and medical care may be limited or unavailable.

And, reduced access to safe water, food, and shelter in some areas may create conditions for outbreaks of infectious diseases.

The CDC says if you must travel to the Bahamas, consider these action items:

Previously, the CDCupdated travel vaccine suggestions for The Bahamas on August 2, 2019.

The CDC suggests various preventive vaccines, such as measles, Hepatitis A, and Typhoid vaccinations prior to traveling abroad.

The Bahamas is also included in the CDCs updated worldwide Measles Alert, issued on January 3, 2020.

And recently, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) includes The Bahamas in a Dengue outbreak notice.

This updated CDC Travel Alert is unfortunate news since The Bahamas has experienced an increase in tourism recently.

According to government statistics, Grand Bahama received 670,000 visitors in 2018, the vast majority arriving on cruise ships.

And, the Nassau and Paradise Island hotel industry reported a spike in average daily room rates, up 34 percent in one year.

To alert international travelers of their security risks when visiting The Bahamas, the US Department of State reissued a Level 2 Travel Advisory on November 26, 2019.

This Exercise Increased Caution advisory by the State Department indicates that visitors to The Bahamas are experiencing various types of crime.

Additionally, the Canadian and UK governments issued similar Travel Advisories during 2019.

Specifically, the UKs Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Bahamas northwest islands. There have been incidents of violent crime including robbery, which is often armed and sometimes fatal, in residential and tourist areas of New Providence, Grand Bahama, and Freeport.

This FCO advisory suggests visitors to The Bahamas be vigilant at all times and dont walk alone away from the main hotels, tourist areas, beaches, and downtown Nassau, particularly after dark.

Moreover, Take care if traveling on local bus services after dusk on routes away from the main tourist areas.

Previously, the UK's National Travel Health Network and Center reported 'risks of the Zika virusin The Bahamas during 2019. The details of specific affected areas within the Bahamas are not available. The UK suggests pregnant women avoidtraveling to the Bahamasuntil after the pregnancy.

In the event that travel is unavoidable, the pregnant womenmust be informed of the risks which the Zika viruspresents to unborn children, such as Microcephaly.

Separately, the Government of Canada Travel Advice and Advisories for The Bahamas was last updated on October 1, 2019, which says 'Avoid Nassaus over the hill (south of Shirley Street) and Fish Fry (Arawak Cay) areas, especially at night.'

Furthermore, the Canadian government says 'sexual assault occurs frequently in The Bahamas, particularly near hotels, in hotel rooms, in casinos, on cruise ships, and on the beach. Reported incidents are on the rise in Nassau, including on Paradise Island. In some cases, the victim was drugged. And, be wary when embarking on jet-ski rides with licensed or unlicensed operators, as several incidents of sexual assault have been reported.

The Bahamas travel vaccine news published by Vax Before Travel

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Bahamas Travel Alert Updated by the CDC - Vax Before Travel