SANTO DOMINGO – July 28, 2011– Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism reports that the country is welcoming global visitors and tourism continues to thrive in the Caribbean’s most popular island nation. On July 23, Dominican Republic Ministry of Health stated that the number of new cholera cases is dropping for the third consecutive week.

Dominican Republic Minister of Public Health, Dr. Bautista Rojas Gomez, noted that heavy rainfalls since May have led to increased cases of the water borne illness in poor neighborhoods and rural areas that lack modern sanitation systems, resulting in an increase of cholera cases this summer.

There is no need to cancel or delay vacation plans to the country as the risk for contracting cholera is very low for travelers. Dominican Republic hotels have well-established sanitary measures and rigorously and continuously meet international sanitary and hygiene regulations.

The most common risk factors for cholera outbreaks are water source contamination. Dominican Republic works closely with the Pan American Health Organization to maintain an effective public health system and network of trained experts to manage and address sanitary conditions and ensure access to safe water and proper medical treatment.

All of Dominican Republic’s cities and tourism regions, including hotels, resorts, attractions, airports, seaports and marinas in Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, La Romana, Santo Domingo and Samaná are open and welcoming visitors. With 10 million residents and over four million annual visitors, the country’s excellent health, transportation and telecommunications systems, as well as a proactive public health program ensure the island paradise is a safe and secure destination.

Tourists planning to visit Dominican Republic’s famous beaches should follow basic food safety recommendations listed below:

What should travelers do to avoid getting cholera?

All travelers to areas where cholera has occurred should observe the following recommendations:

· Drink only water that you have boiled or treated with chlorine or iodine. Other safe beverages include tea and coffee made with boiled water and carbonated bottled beverages with no ice.

· Eat only foods that have been thoroughly cooked and are still hot, or fruit that you have peeled yourself.

· Avoid undercooked or raw fish or shellfish, including ceviche.

· Make sure all vegetables are cooked -- avoid salads.

· Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors.

· Do not bring perishable seafood back to the United States.

· Wash your hands and bath only in clean water.

More Useful Information:

· The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says travelers who follow usual tourist itineraries and observe food safety recommendations while in countries reporting cholera have virtually no risk: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/id/2492.aspx

· The World Health Organization (WHO) is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_11_24/en/index.html

· Cristal Food Safety Ltd. provides travel safety health tips to consumers, hotels and resorts around the world and works closely with the DR’s globally recognized world-class resorts and hotels: www.CheckSafetyFirst.com