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South America
When one imagines South America, one thinks of the densely tangled jungles of the Amazon, the snow-capped heights of the Andes and the Pampas, and the astounding wildlife of the Galapagos Islands and beyond. While the continent indeed holds endless exotic delights, it also contains certain tropical maladies that any visitor should be aware of in advance. Read on to get some preparatory knowledge on how to stay healthy in America del Sur.
Enjoying your trip to its fullest always involves some amount of preparation and knowledge, so to make your planning easier weve put together some basic information outlining the general risks you might face in South America. Consult the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the most up-to-date information on current health risks, and ask your physician about the best courses of vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis for the area youre visiting.
Food and Water:
Diarrhea afflictions commonly affect visitors. Intestinal parasites and fluke illnesses have been reported in certain parts of South America, so be mindful of what you eat. Assume that all water is contaminated, and either buy bottled water (widely available in most countries) or sterilize it yourself (see Food and Water Risks for further details). Even when locals insist that tap water is safe to drink, as the adage says, its better to be safe than sorry.
In most places, vegetables should be cooked and fruits peeled before eating. Luckily, most tropical fruits are of the peel variety, so have no fear and munch away on freshly peeled pineapples, mangoes, and the like. Avoid undercooked meat and seafood--the latter can be host to many bacteria that are damaging to ones health. Avoid unpasteurized milk and dairy products as well. You can sterilize milk or make powdered milk with purified water as an alternative. As an added precaution, always check the expiration date of processed food.
The Elements:
While temperatures range from the tropical variety to the cool climates of high altitudes, the bottom line here is that the sun is strong--really strong. The equator runs straight through Ecuador, Brazil, and Colombia, if thats any clue of how hot it gets! So cover up with sunscreen, don pants and long sleeves when you can, and wear a wide-brimmed hat to stay shaded and keep cool. Drink plenty of water--the heat and humidity will make you sweat even more, and you need to balance fluid loss with fluid intake.
High Altitudes:
Those trekking in the Andes, Pampas, and other mountain ranges will be treated to jaw-dropping gorgeous scenery and challenging hikes. However, visiting such high altitudes opens a whole other can of worms. For further details, read our How to Avoid Altitude Sickness tip.
Health Risks:
Mosquitoes abound in South America, particularly in its coastal regions and within the moist interiors of its rainforests. Insect-borne diseases, especially malaria and dengue fever, are therefore big risks. Malaria risk exists in parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Risk is generally high in rural and low-lying areas; one need not worry in big cities and main tourist areas such Rio. However, its always best to check in advance to see which areas are the most at risk--consult WHOs malaria zone map when in doubt. Consult your doctor several months before your trip to determine the best course of malaria prevention for you.
Yellow fever is a big problem in many parts of the continent. To check which areas are at high risk, consult WHOs map of endemic zones.
Dengue fever and Chagas disease occur throughout the continent. Unfortunately, no prophylaxis for these illnesses currently exist, so follow some simple guidelines to protect yourself from mosquito bites (see Creepy, Crawly Critters for further details and advice). Filariasis, leishmaniasis, and onchocerciasis have been reported in certain parts of the continent, particularly in rural Brazil.
Schistosomiasis (or bilharzia), a strain of water-borne bacteria, is prevalent in many fresh water areas; avoid swimming or paddling in these areas. Rabies is present in many parts of the continent. Snakes and leeches are often a hazard in certain areas.
Immunization Suggestions and Requirements:
The following information was culled from reputable sources, such as CDC and WHO and reflects countries currently featured on Travelocity.com.
Argentina
- Cholera, typhoid, polio, hepatitis A
Bolivia
- Hepatitis A, polio, typhoid, cholera, tetanus
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers coming from infected areas
- Yellow fever immunization is recommended for incoming travelers from non-infected zones visiting risk areas
Brazil
- Polio, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A and B
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers arriving within three months from infected areas
- Yellow fever immunization is recommended for those intending to visit certain rural areas of the country
Chile
- Cholera, tetanus, hepatitis A and B
Colombia
- Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, cholera, polio, tetanus
- Yellow fever immunization is recommended for those visiting certain rural frontiers of Colombia
Ecuador
- Cholera, typhoid, polio, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers over one year old coming from infected areas
- Yellow fever immunization is recommended for travelers arriving from non-infected areas who plan to journey outside urban areas, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported
Peru
- Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, cholera, polio
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers over six months old coming from infected areas
- Yellow fever immunization is recommended for travelers arriving from non-infected areas who plan to journey to areas within the Amazon Basin and the eastern slopes of the Andes, even if an outbreak of the disease has not been reported
Uruguay
Venezuela
- Cholera, typhoid, polio, hepatitis A and B
- Yellow fever immunization is recommended for all travelers over one year old intending to travel outside urban areas
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