Skip to main content

What diseases do I need to worry about?

If we're talking strictly about Cozumel, Mexico, per the CDC the main diseases to be aware of are mosquito/insect-borne diseases, such as:

  • Chagas Disease
    • Not common in Cozumel, but can be transmitted by the kissing bug, which is found in rural areas of Mexico.
  • Chikungunya
    • This one is only recommended for travelers staying for more than 6 months, or hanging with locals in rural areas.
  • Dengue
    • Mosquito-borne disease that can cause severe flu-like symptoms.
  • Leishmaniasis
    • Caused by sand flies bites, a parasite more common in rural areas.
  • Malaria
    • Rarely reported in Cozumel. No vaccine, but long term travelers are advised to take prophylaxis meds.
  • Zika virus
    • Another mosquito-borne disease.

What makes you so confident I won't get sick?

Well, there are no guarantees, but if you're up to date on your routine vaccinations, you have the first and best line of defense against many diseases. Hepatitis A and B have nearly become routine vaccinations in the US if you do much traveling, so chances are you've already had them. You will have readily available access to clean water and food, so those stomach bugs and parasites are less of a concern. Finally, the entire island of Cozumel participates in a mosquito control program, where they fog and powder breeding areas and residences. The resort itself fogs the grounds regularly for this purpose.