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Possible Health Risks
(Reads: 337, since 26-Ago-2008)As long as you take basic precautions before traveling to Argentina then you shouldn’t have any further health worries. It’s worth, however, reading up about those diseases, particularly if you intend on travelling to the northernmost provinces, which do still exist and which could affect you, although the probability is probably low. Pharmacies (farmacias) are ubiquitous and their attendants are usually quite helpful – many more medicines can still be purchased without prescription – and will be able to give advice on many ailments.
Water is drinkable in all large cities and towns but it is best to be cautious in remoter areas where you would be better to boil the water or switch to bottled water. Bottled mineral water is readily available throughout the country.
Sun - it’s essential to apply a high factor sunscreen to protect your skin from sun burn, wear a hat, cover up, or better still keep out of the sun particularly from 11am-3pm. It’s important to drink plenty of water. Don’t be deceived by cooler climes in the south – the days here are long and the sun is fearsome, made worse by the thinning ozone layer.
Recommended Vaccinations - no vaccinations are required to visit Argentina except for those traveling from countries with specific endemic diseases. However, it is recommended to have vaccinations against Hepatitis A and B, Yellow Fever, Rabies, Tuberculosis and Typhoid. An anti-malarial drug is advised to protect against Malaria, such as chloroquine, particularly if you plan to visit the northern-most provinces.The World Health Organization has detailed information on all the diseases below as does the Centre for Disease Control where you’ll be able to check on any further developments or new risks.
Altitude Sickness (Puna) is altitude sickness caused through lack of oxygen (usually suffered above 3000 metres). In most other South American countries they refer to it as soroche. It causes headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and physical weakness in some people. There are those who take days to get accustomed, while others continue to suffer and must descend to lower altitudes. Drink lots of water, avoid alcohol and don’t exercise excessively. If you’re a sufferer, it’s wise to ascend gradually allowing your body to acclimatize slowly.
Dieseases in Argentina
Yellow Fever is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito so it is wise to apply insect repellent on exposed skin and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. In March 2008 Argentina’s Ministry of Health reported its first official human case of yellow fever in Misiones Province. As a result, the number of yellow fever vaccinations is being increased in such areas. All travellers (older than 9 months) intending to visit the northern and northeastern forested areas of Argentina, including Iguaçu Falls, Misiones Province, and areas near Paraguay and Brazil should be vaccinated against yellow fever. If in doubt consult your doctor.
Cholera is a water borne bacterium. Near the borders with Bolivia there have been some reported cases. It’s best to avoid raw foods like fish, seafood, and vegetables. Symptoms include continuous diarrhea, vomiting and cramps. If you contract Cholera, go to the nearest hospital. Avoid dehydration.
Malaria is carried by a mosquito infected with the parasite. Symptoms, which occur some 9 days after being bitten, include fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, vomiting and exhaustion. Malaria could be contracted in rural areas around Salta and Jujuy close to the borders with Bolivia and Paraguay, as well as some areas of Misiones, Corrientes and Chaco. If visiting these higher risk areas, wear plenty of insect repellent, cover up, hang a mosquito net or burn anti-mosquito coils which are readily available.
Dengue Fever is transmitted by mosquitoes so it's best to avoid being bitten by them. Once you have Dengue there is no effective treatment for it. Initially it produces fever, headaches and muscle pains and later produces a skin rash. There are no serious complications, but the recuperation period can be up to a month.
Chagas Disease is transmitted by a miscroscopic parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transported by the reduviid bug (also known as the vinchuca or kissing bug). The bug typically lives in crevices and gaps in poor rural housing (thatch, mud and adobe), especially in northern, western and central Argentina where the climate is warm, temperate and dry. The reduviid bug bites it defecates next to the wound which the victim then scratches, unknowingly rubbing the feces into the wound and thus the parasite passes into the blood stream. Some will suffer symptoms soon after being infected - a swollen eye on one side of the face, swollen lymph glands, enlarged liver or spleen, exhaustion, fever, rash, diarrhoea and vomiting. In others symptoms can appear years after infection and can affect the heart, intestines and nervous system. Chagas, described by Brazilian doctor Carlos Chagas over 100 years ago, kills more Latin Americans than any other disease transmitted by parasites.
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease spread by the bite of infected sand flies, which are most active at twilight and at night, particularly prevalent in northern Argentina. There are several different forms, the commonest cutaneous leishmaniasis, which causes skin sores, and visceral leishmaniasis, which affects some internal organs.
Rabies is prevalent throughout South America so be warned not to make friends with local animals, particularly strays which won’t have been vaccinated.
Hanta Pulmonary Syndrome is a virus carried by long-tailed small brown rats. Hanta is believed to be transmitted by contact with the rodent’s urine, saliva or feces, be it through contaminated water and food, by inhalation of air-borne particles from infected excreta or by being bitten. Symptoms include fever and muscle ache initially not unlike flu, after which there are complications with the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver and pancreas. Fatalities average one in three victims. Until now there are no vaccinations or effective treatment. The virus can live for up to three days at room temperature but dies when subjected to sunlight or disinfectants. Hanta mainly affects rural southern Argentina. It is advisable if camping to have a sealed tent and keep food stuffs in containers. Anywhere that hasn’t been stayed in for some time - a lakeside cabin for example - will need to be aired thoroughly. Cover nose and mouth with a handkerchief, open up and leave it air, then check for rat excrement.
Water is drinkable in all large cities and towns but it is best to be cautious in remoter areas where you would be better to boil the water or switch to bottled water. Bottled mineral water is readily available throughout the country.
Sun - it’s essential to apply a high factor sunscreen to protect your skin from sun burn, wear a hat, cover up, or better still keep out of the sun particularly from 11am-3pm. It’s important to drink plenty of water. Don’t be deceived by cooler climes in the south – the days here are long and the sun is fearsome, made worse by the thinning ozone layer.
Recommended Vaccinations - no vaccinations are required to visit Argentina except for those traveling from countries with specific endemic diseases. However, it is recommended to have vaccinations against Hepatitis A and B, Yellow Fever, Rabies, Tuberculosis and Typhoid. An anti-malarial drug is advised to protect against Malaria, such as chloroquine, particularly if you plan to visit the northern-most provinces.The World Health Organization has detailed information on all the diseases below as does the Centre for Disease Control where you’ll be able to check on any further developments or new risks.
Altitude Sickness (Puna) is altitude sickness caused through lack of oxygen (usually suffered above 3000 metres). In most other South American countries they refer to it as soroche. It causes headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and physical weakness in some people. There are those who take days to get accustomed, while others continue to suffer and must descend to lower altitudes. Drink lots of water, avoid alcohol and don’t exercise excessively. If you’re a sufferer, it’s wise to ascend gradually allowing your body to acclimatize slowly.
Dieseases in Argentina
Yellow Fever is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito so it is wise to apply insect repellent on exposed skin and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. In March 2008 Argentina’s Ministry of Health reported its first official human case of yellow fever in Misiones Province. As a result, the number of yellow fever vaccinations is being increased in such areas. All travellers (older than 9 months) intending to visit the northern and northeastern forested areas of Argentina, including Iguaçu Falls, Misiones Province, and areas near Paraguay and Brazil should be vaccinated against yellow fever. If in doubt consult your doctor.
Cholera is a water borne bacterium. Near the borders with Bolivia there have been some reported cases. It’s best to avoid raw foods like fish, seafood, and vegetables. Symptoms include continuous diarrhea, vomiting and cramps. If you contract Cholera, go to the nearest hospital. Avoid dehydration.
Malaria is carried by a mosquito infected with the parasite. Symptoms, which occur some 9 days after being bitten, include fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, vomiting and exhaustion. Malaria could be contracted in rural areas around Salta and Jujuy close to the borders with Bolivia and Paraguay, as well as some areas of Misiones, Corrientes and Chaco. If visiting these higher risk areas, wear plenty of insect repellent, cover up, hang a mosquito net or burn anti-mosquito coils which are readily available.
Dengue Fever is transmitted by mosquitoes so it's best to avoid being bitten by them. Once you have Dengue there is no effective treatment for it. Initially it produces fever, headaches and muscle pains and later produces a skin rash. There are no serious complications, but the recuperation period can be up to a month.
Chagas Disease is transmitted by a miscroscopic parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transported by the reduviid bug (also known as the vinchuca or kissing bug). The bug typically lives in crevices and gaps in poor rural housing (thatch, mud and adobe), especially in northern, western and central Argentina where the climate is warm, temperate and dry. The reduviid bug bites it defecates next to the wound which the victim then scratches, unknowingly rubbing the feces into the wound and thus the parasite passes into the blood stream. Some will suffer symptoms soon after being infected - a swollen eye on one side of the face, swollen lymph glands, enlarged liver or spleen, exhaustion, fever, rash, diarrhoea and vomiting. In others symptoms can appear years after infection and can affect the heart, intestines and nervous system. Chagas, described by Brazilian doctor Carlos Chagas over 100 years ago, kills more Latin Americans than any other disease transmitted by parasites.
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease spread by the bite of infected sand flies, which are most active at twilight and at night, particularly prevalent in northern Argentina. There are several different forms, the commonest cutaneous leishmaniasis, which causes skin sores, and visceral leishmaniasis, which affects some internal organs.
Rabies is prevalent throughout South America so be warned not to make friends with local animals, particularly strays which won’t have been vaccinated.
Hanta Pulmonary Syndrome is a virus carried by long-tailed small brown rats. Hanta is believed to be transmitted by contact with the rodent’s urine, saliva or feces, be it through contaminated water and food, by inhalation of air-borne particles from infected excreta or by being bitten. Symptoms include fever and muscle ache initially not unlike flu, after which there are complications with the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver and pancreas. Fatalities average one in three victims. Until now there are no vaccinations or effective treatment. The virus can live for up to three days at room temperature but dies when subjected to sunlight or disinfectants. Hanta mainly affects rural southern Argentina. It is advisable if camping to have a sealed tent and keep food stuffs in containers. Anywhere that hasn’t been stayed in for some time - a lakeside cabin for example - will need to be aired thoroughly. Cover nose and mouth with a handkerchief, open up and leave it air, then check for rat excrement.
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