Health Information for People Visiting Rhode Island

Rhode Island has much to offer, including wooded parks, beautiful beaches, fine dining, history, and museums. Consider the following public health tips so that you stay healthy before, during, and after your trip.  

Before traveling to Rhode Island

• Talk to your doctor about whether you need to get any vaccinations.
• If you’re traveling to Rhode Island from another country, consider purchasing supplementary health insurance before you travel. 

During your stay in Rhode Island

Summer

• Summer in Rhode Island (June, July, August) can be hot and humid. When you are outside, wear sunscreen, a hat, and light-colored, lightweight clothing. Drink plenty of water. Know signs of heat-related illness. Learn more about extreme heat and health. 
• Look out for ticks! Ticks that carry diseases, like Lyme disease, are prevalent in Rhode Island and they are more active during the summer months. Avoid wooded areas with high grass and leaf litter. Use repellents with 20 to 30% DEET. Check for ticks after coming indoors. Learn more about preventing tickborne illness.  
• Mosquitoes can carry many diseases, including West Nile Virus (WNV), Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and Zika Virus. Mosquitoes that carry WNV and EEE are found in Rhode Island. To protect yourself, use bug spray with at least 20% DEET. Learn more about mosquito-related illnesses and how to prevent them. 
• The Atlantic Hurricane season is from June 1 through November 30. Hurricanes can have direct and indirect impacts on your health. Learn more about protecting your health during a hurricane. 

Winter

• Winter in Rhode Island (December, January, February, March) can be cold and snowy. To prevent cold-related illnesses and injuries like hypothermia and frostbite, wear proper layers. Wear an inner layer that doesn’t absorb moisture, an insulation layer to retain heat, and an outer layer to protect you from wind, rain, and snow. Don’t forget waterproof footwear to keep your feet warm and dry. Learn more about winter storms and extreme cold. 
• Respiratory viruses spread more easily in the winter. Stay home if you feel sick. Stay up to date on your vaccinations. Practice good hygiene by covering your coughs and sneezes and washing or sanitizing your hands often. Learn more about preventing respiratory viruses.  

All Year

• Wash your hands frequently. Learn more about food safety or report a foodborne illness. You can also review food inspection reports for local restaurants.  
• Sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis can cause serious health problems. They can also increase the chances of getting HIV. Protect yourself and your partners by using condoms. Learn more about STI prevention and resources.  
• Cannabis use in Rhode Island is allowed for qualified patients and for people age 21 and older as long as it is purchased and consumed within the state. Transporting cannabis across state lines remains illegal under federal law even if both states have legalized it for medical or adult use. Learn about cannabis safety.
• Rhode Island's drug supply is always changing, which can have an impact on the people within our state. The strong opioid, fentanyl, has been found in drugs such as heroin, crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and other substances. It is often in fake pills sold as Adderall®, oxycodone, Percocet®, and Xanax.® It only takes a small amount of fentanyl to cause an overdose. Get free naloxone and other overdose prevention resources at PreventOverdoseRI.org.