Chile
Good dental care is available in the larger cities
Medication is available and regulated by the Chilean Government
Blood supplies are considered as safe, collected from volunteer donors and screened to international standards
Medical care is generally good, but it may not meet Western standards. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
Recent medical and dental exams should ensure that the traveler is in good health. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary.
Drink only bottled beverages (including water) or beverages made with boiled water. Do not use ice cubes or eat raw seafood or rare meat. Eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors. Only pasteurized dairy products should be consumed.
AIDS occurs. Blood supply may not be adequately screened and/or single-use, disposable needles and syringes may be unavailable. When possible, travelers should defer medical treatment until reaching a facility where safety can be assured.
Heavy smog in cities and sharp temperature changes contribute to a high incidence of respiratory illnesses. Sore throats and sinusitis are common. Smog is a particularly serious problem in Santiago and has resulted in restrictions of motor vehicle operation and industrial production.
According to news reports the area surrounding the Lonquimay volcano presents significant health hazards to all persons. Scientists have reported potentially toxic levels of particles containing iron, silicon, calcium and aluminum - as well as chloric, sulfuric and fluoric gases. Both air and drinking water are contaminated. The volcano which erupted on Christmas Day 1988 is 375 miles southeast of Santiago.
Cholera: Although limited in effectiveness, vaccination may be appropriate for persons living and/or working in less than sanitary conditions for more than 3 months where medical facilities are unavailable. Vaccination may also be appropriate for travelers with impaired gastric defenses who are planning an extended visit or being exposed to unsanitary conditions. Vaccination is not advised for pregnant women, infants younger than 6 months old, or persons with a history of severe reaction to the vaccine.
Hepatitis A: Consider active immunization with hepatitis A vaccine or passive immunization with immune globulin (IG) for all susceptible travelers. Especially consider choosing active immunization for persons planning to reside for a long period or for persons who take frequent short-term trips to risk areas. The importance of protection against hepatitis A increases as length of stay increases. It is particularly important for persons who will be living in or visiting rural areas, eating or drinking in settings of poor or uncertain sanitation, or who will have close contact with local persons (especially young children) in settings with poor sanitary conditions.
Typhoid: Vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 3 weeks, adventurous eaters, and those who will venture off the usual tourist routes into small cities, villages and rural areas. Importance of vaccination increases as access to reasonable medical care becomes limited. Contraindications depend on vaccine type.
Note: All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococcal) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.
Insect-borne illness: these diseases are relatively unimportant in this area.
Food-borne and water-borne illness:
Cholera - occurs
Echinococcosis (hydatid disease) - occurs
Hepatitis (viral) - occurs
Taeniasis - occurs
Typhoid fever - occurs
Other hazards:
Influenza risk extends from May to October.
Anthrax - occurs
Rabies - occurs rarely (particularly in bats found in caves and abandoned mines)
Risk of hantavirus is present in southern Chile for those who may have close contact with rodents.
None
