GGD Bonaire / Public Health monitors which infectious diseases are present on our island throughout the year. We provide a brief update every quarter. This keeps everyone informed about what’s happening and what you can do to stay healthy.
Ships
All over the world, every ship must complete a health declaration before arriving at a port. This declaration indicates whether there are any sick people on board. If there are people with a contagious disease on board, GGD Bonaire / Public Health is notified. GGD Bonaire / Public Health then assesses the situation and, if necessary, provides advice to the ship.
People who currently have an infectious disease are not permitted to disembark. According to international regulations, a ship is generally allowed to dock. Only in exceptional situations—for example, when there are many sick people on board or in the case of a very serious infectious disease—can a decision be made that no one is allowed to disembark. However, this almost never occurs in practice.
In the third quarter of 2026 (Q3), GGD Bonaire / Public Health received health certificates from 24 (cruise) ships. This was fewer than in Q2 (39) and Q1 (83). The number of sick passengers on board was low on most cruise ships. Fortunately, there were no significant outbreaks on (cruise) ships in the Caribbean region during July, August, and September (Q3) either.
Flu & Cold Symptoms
The number of people who visited their primary care physician with flu or cold symptoms in Q3 was lower than in the same period in 2021–2025. It’s possible that fewer people are seeing their family doctors with these symptoms, which may be why the situation appears milder this year. Laboratory data showed occasional cases of rhinovirus/enterovirus (a common cold virus) and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) circulating in Q3. However, the numbers were low.
We have not yet seen any influenza on Bonaire. Influenza has been circulating on Aruba for several weeks now (read more here). In the European Netherlands, there is not yet a flu epidemic (Flu Facts and Figures | RIVM).
At the end of October, the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 booster shot will be offered on Bonaire. This is a collaboration between the GGD Bonaire / Public Health and local primary care practices. People aged 60 and older will receive a personal invitation letter in advance. In addition, the vaccination campaign is being promoted through social media and local news outlets.
Sexual Health Clinic
The sexual health clinic run by GGD Bonaire / Public Health has been in operation since October 2025. This clinic is open to anyone with questions about love, sex, relationships, contraception, or STIs (sexually transmitted infections). The clinic complements the existing healthcare services on Bonaire.
In Q3, the nurses saw 44 clients, 39 of whom were tested for STIs. This is fewer clients than in Q2 (53 clients, 45 of whom were tested) but more than in Q1 (31 clients, 27 of whom were tested). In total, 110 clients were tested this year; of these, 22 had chlamydia, 12 had gonorrhea, and 1 had syphilis.
Mosquito-borne Diseases
From July through September (Q3), few people visited their primary care physician with symptoms of a mosquito-borne disease, such as dengue or chikungunya. There have been only a few cases of dengue in recent months.
GGD Bonaire / Public Health asks everyone to be on the lookout for potential mosquito breeding sites around their homes. This is because mosquitoes on Bonaire can also transmit diseases other than dengue, such as chikungunya.
Outbreaks of chikungunya have recently been reported in several countries in the region: French Guiana, Nicaragua, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Guadeloupe. Cubahas been experiencing an outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases for some time; in addition to chikungunya, the country is also dealing with many cases of dengue. Recently, many (local) cases of dengue have also been reported in Florida, Costa Rica (DENV-1 and DENV-3), El Salvador, and Peru.
Travelers’ Consultation Hours
There have recently been measles outbreaks in several countries: the U.S. (New York and Pennsylvania), Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, and South Africa. GGD Bonaire / Public Health is closely monitoring the situation in the region. Children on Bonaire receive a measles (MMR) vaccination through the National Immunization Program (RVP). Vaccination is recommended for travelers born on or after 1965 who have not had measles or have never been vaccinated against it. Vaccination is also recommended for children older than 6 months who have not yet received the MMR vaccine under the National Immunization Program.
Due to the outbreaks in the region and upcoming vacation periods, GGD Bonaire / Public Health would like to once again draw attention to its traveler consultation hours. Travelers can protect themselves by arranging travel advice or vaccinations in a timely manner through GGD Bonaire / Public Health.
In Q3, GGD Bonaire / Public Health saw 178 travelers during the consultation hours, compared to 124 travelers in Q1 and 201 travelers in Q2. In July, August, and September, these were primarily travelers heading to Colombia, Brazil, Vietnam, Curaçao, and Panama. Most travelers receive a vaccination against yellow fever, hepatitis A, or other infectious diseases.
For more information and to make an appointment for a consultation, call (+599) 715 5324 or email IZB@bonairegov.com.
Abdominal Complaints
In Q3, many people with abdominal complaints visited their primary care physician, just as they had in previous months. Since late August, the number of patients visiting their primary care physician has been above the expected level for this time of year.
GGD Bonaire / Public Health advises everyone to practice good hygiene when preparing and eating food. Good hygiene and food safety reduce the risk of stomach problems. Good hand hygiene is also important after contact with animals to reduce the risk of various infections.
