VZCZCXYZ0015
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWN #1930 3061708
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 021708Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3630

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001930 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OTRA PREL EAGR AC
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO BORRI-DIAZ FOR TRAVEL 
TO ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA 
 
REF: USDA FAS 681561 
 
¶1. Embassy Bridgetown welcomes and grants clearance to 
Veterinary Medical Officer Miguel Borri-Diaz to travel to 
Antigua and Barbuda from November 13-17, 2006 for the purpose 
of attending the 13th Caribbean Amblyomma Program Annual 
Meeting. 
 
¶2. Per reftel, Embassy understands assistance is not required. 
 
¶3. Embassy Bridgetown requests an outbrief be provided to the 
Political/Economic Section relating to activities while in 
the region within 10 working days of completion of travel. 
Please provide the outbrief by telephone, 246/436-4950 X2230, 
or by fax at 246/431-0384. 
 
¶4. Entry requirements: Mission policy is that all USG 
travelers to the region be in possession of a valid passport. 
 Visas are not required for short visits.  There is a 
departure tax of 50 xcd (Eastern Caribbean) dollars or 19 
U.S. dollars. 
 
¶5. The exchange rate in Antigua and Barbuda is 2.70 xcd 
(Eastern Caribbean) dollars for one U.S. dollar.  U.S. 
currency, traveler's checks, and credit cards are routinely 
and widely accepted. 
 
¶6.  The following is general information pertaining to 
security and health considerations throughout the Eastern 
Caribbean: 
 
Security 
-------- 
 
In the Eastern Caribbean, foot travel outside of 
well-established tourist areas is not generally recommended, 
especially at night.  Be vigilant when using public 
telephones or ATM machines near roadsides or quiet areas.  As 
in many U.S. metropolitan areas, wearing expensive jewelry, 
carrying expensive objects, or carrying large amounts of cash 
should be avoided.  Visitors should also safeguard valuables 
while at the beach.  While hotels are generally safe, many 
visitors have experienced loss of unattended items.  Hotel 
burglaries are not uncommon and all valuables should be 
locked in room safes if possible. 
 
 
Health 
------ 
 
Throughout the Eastern Caribbean, the most likely threat to a 
visitor's health is sunburn.  It takes several weeks to 
become accustomed to the heat and humidity.  Prolonged 
exposure to the sun, without protection, causes sunburn and 
may ultimately result in sun-damaged skin or even skin 
cancer.  Sunscreens should be used for protection.  In 
Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines the 
major health threat is dengue fever, transmitted by mosquito. 
 Dengue cases are most often seen in the summer months. 
Persons should therefore protect themselves with insect 
repellent.  There is a growing number of HIV/AIDS cases 
reported.  The Eastern Caribbean enjoys clean and safe 
drinking water.  Only routine boosters for immunizations 
(i.e., tetanus, diphtheria, and oral polio vaccine) are 
required when traveling to this region.  Barbados has the 
best medical facilities of all the islands in the region and 
most of the medical specialties have practitioners here. 
GILROY