Americas - Argentina
Travel health report: Argentina Health Advisory Updates

On October 27, 2008, the U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires released the following Warden Message:

This Warden Message is to alert American citizens traveling to or residing in Argentina of the updated health advisory related to yellow fever, malaria, and rabies.

Yellow Fever

 "Travelers are strongly advised to follow the existing CDC yellow fever vaccination recommendations for Argentina:

·       Yellow fever vaccination (at least 10 days before your trip) is recommended for all travelers older than 9 months of age who are traveling to the northern and northeastern forested areas of Argentina, including Iguaçu Falls and all areas bordering Paraguay and Brazil. These areas include:

 

o        All departments of Misiones and Formosa Provinces

o        Department of Bermejo in Chaco Province

o        Departments of Berón de Astrada, Capital, General Alvear, General Paz, Ituzaingó, Itatí, Paso de los Libres, San Cosme, San Miguel, San Martín, and Santo Tomé in Corrientes Province

o        Departments of Valle Grande, Ledesma, Santa Bárbara, and San Pedro in Jujuy Province

o        Departments of General José de San Martín, Oran, Rivadavia, and Anta in Salta Province

 

·         The vaccine is effective for 10 years. The complications from yellow fever vaccine are greater for certain groups of people, such as those younger than 9 months or older than 60 years, pregnant women, and those whose immune systems are compromised. For more information about these and other yellow fever vaccine precautions and contraindications, please see the prevention information in the Yellow Fever section of CDC Health Information for International Travel 2008. These travelers (or their parents) should discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination for travel to this area of Argentina with their physicians.

 

Malaria

 

"It should be noted that the incidence of malaria in Argentina is very low but there is some risk in the areas mentioned below. Those visiting the risk areas should exercise mosquito precautions for short visits of only a few days and may want to consider medication for visits of longer duration. Certainly, those concerned may always take medication to provide the best possible protection. Please see your physicians for medication options.

Malaria risk area in Argentina: Rural areas of Salta and Jujuy province (along border with Bolivia) and Misiones and Corrientes province (along border with Paraguay).

Drugs to prevent Malaria (Antimalarial drugs):  If you will be visiting a malaria risk area in Argentina, chloroquine is the recommended antimalarial drug.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MOSQUITO BITES

"Use insect repellent on exposed skin surfaces when outdoors, particularly during the day.

o        Repellents containing 30% to 50% DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) are recommended for adults. Lower concentrations of DEET offer shorter-term protection and require more frequent reapplication.

o        Repellents containing picaridin are available in the United States in formulations of up to 15% concentration, which require frequent reapplication. Repellents with higher concentrations of picaridin may be available in some regions outside the United States.

·         Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Clothing may also be sprayed with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent for greater protection. (Remember: don't use permethrin on skin.)

 

Rabies 

 

"Buenos Aires is a city of animal lovers and their pets. Consequently, the city and province of Buenos Aires also harbor a large population of stray or feral animals. Whenever you have a large concentration of canine and feline animals interspersed with the human population, it is inevitable that people will sustain the occasional animal bite. Appropriate treatment of an animal bite for anyone who has never received the rabies vaccine and is bitten by an animal with an unknown rabies status involves injection of human rabies antibodies at the wound site and a five injection series of rabies vaccine at day 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28. A person who has previously completed the rabies series requires only two booster shots of the rabies vaccine on days 0 and 3. In addition, a tetanus injection should be given if one has not been administered in the last five years and antibiotic may be recommended to prevent infection. Special situations do exist which may alter the treatment protocol and therefore, everyone who is bitten should be seen by a qualified medical professional as soon after the bite as is possible. 

 

"Many medical professionals (veterinarians and physicians) in the local community will inform you that there is no rabies in Buenos Aires (city and province) and it is true that there has not been a case of rabies reported in four years. However, as rabies is a rapidly fatal disease, no one should assume that their bite is from an uninfected animal or that there is no risk of rabies in Buenos Aires. This is especially true when dealing with aggressive stray or feral animals as their rabies status cannot easily be verified and there is a minute possibility of contracting rabies from these animals." 

Travel Advisories

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs gives the following advice Australians who are traveling, working or living in Argentina: "Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas, organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy."

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office gives the following advice British people who are traveling, working or living in Argentina : "We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. This should cover medical evacuation by air ambulance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake."

The Canadian Foreign Affairs Office gives the following advice to Canadians who are traveling, working or living in Argentina : "Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad. Out-of-country healthcare can be costly, and your health plan will cover only part of the bill at best. It is your responsibility to obtain supplementary travel insurance and understand the terms of your policy. Some credit card companies offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume that coverage is automatically included or that the card alone provides adequate coverage."

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade gives the following advice to New Zealanders: "New Zealanders travelling or resident in Argentina should have comprehensive medical and travel insurance policies in place that include provision for medical evacuation by air."

The U.S. Department of State gives the following advice to Americans who are traveling, working or living in Argentina: "We strongly urge you to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation and overseas medical services. Please keep in mind that Medicare does not cover any illness or injury that occurs outside of the United States."

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