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Country Guide > South America > Colombia | |
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Health
1 Vaccination is recommended for travellers who visit the following areas considered to be endemic for yellow fever: middle valley of the Magdalena River, eastern and western foothills of the Cordillera Oriental from the frontier with Ecuador to that with Venezuela, Urabá, the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, eastern plains (Orinoquia) and Amazonia. 2 Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Colombia. However, there may be a risk of cholera in this country; autochthonous cases were reported in 1996, and precautions should be considered. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix. 3 Typhoid immunisation or boosters are recommended. 4 Malaria risk exists throughout the year in rural and jungle areas below 800m. There is high risk in the following municipalities: Urabá-Bajo Cauca, Amazonia, Orinoquia and Pacífico. The highest risk is in the following departments: Amazonia, Chocó, Córdoba, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo and Vichada. The malignant falciparum form of the disease is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine in Amazonia, Pacífico and Urabá-Bajo Cauca. The recommended prophylaxis is chloroquine plus proguanil in Amazonia and Pacífico, and in Urabá-Bajo Cauca, mefloquine. Food & drink All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated outside major cities. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk may be unpasteurised in places and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Other risks American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), as well as cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis occur in Colombia. Hepatitis A, B and C occur. Dengue fever and TB are also found. For further details, see the Health appendix. Rabies is present. For those at risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. Health care Health facilities in the main cities are good. In rural areas, services can be very limited. Travellers are strongly advised to take out full medical insurance. There are nine firms in Colombia offering prepaid medical care and medical insurance which may be purchased from travel agents, a list of which is available from the Embassy. |