Guyana
Avoid dental care in Guyana
There is little medication available in Guyana
There is a National Transfusion Service in Guyana and the screening is based on American standards, the supply is reasonably safe.
Medical care is available for minor medical problems. Emergency care and major medical care requiring a hospital stay are limited due to lack of specialists, diagnostic aids, and poor sanitary conditions in most medical facilities. Travelers are advised to bring prescription medicine sufficient for their length of stay and should be aware that Guyana’s humid climate may affect some medicine. Some prescription medicines (mainly generic) are available.
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, rare meat or dairy products. Eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors.
Swim only in well-maintained, chlorinated pools or ocean water known to be free from pollution. Wear clothing which reduces exposed skin and apply repellents containing DEET to remaining areas. Sleep in well-screened accommodations. Carry anti-diarrheal medication. Reduce problems related to sun exposure by using sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen lotions and lip protection.
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.
Constant high humidity may cause fungal infections.
Because of local drainage problems in Georgetown, parasites and worms are prevalent. Do not walk barefoot.
Swimming is not recommended in the ocean or in the Demerara River because of silt and sewage pollution.
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.
Hepatitis B: Vaccination is advised for health care workers, persons anticipating direct contact with blood from or sexual contact with inhabitants, and persons planning extended stays of 6 months or greater (especially those who anticipate using local health care facilities, staying in rural areas, or having intimate contact with the local population).
Rabies: Preexposure vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 30 days who are expected to be at risk to bites from domestic and/or wild animals (particularly dogs), or for persons engaged in high risk activities such as spelunking or animal handling. Need for vaccination is more important if potential exposure is in rural areas and if adequate postexposure care is not readily available.
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.
Yellow fever: Vaccination is recommended for travelers over 9 months of age going outside of urban areas.
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, including malaria and yellow fever, are an important cause of ill health in rural areas.
Dengue fever - occurs
Encephalitis - occurs
Filariasis (Bancroftian type) - prevalent
Leishmaniasis (cutaneous and mucocutaneous) - occurs
Trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease) - occurs
Food-borne and water-borne illness: these diseases are common and include amoebiasis, diarrheal diseases, helminthic infections, and viral hepatitis.
Brucellosis - common
Cholera - occurs
Echinococcosis (hydatid disease) - occurs
Other hazards:
High levels of immunization coverage have reduced the incidence of diseases such as measles and diphtheria.
Influenza risk extends throughout the year.
Rabies - occurs
AIDS: According to the Department of State, testing is required for all foreigners staying longer than 3 months. Contact Guyana's embassy for details.
Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers coming from infected areas and the following countries:
Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Togo, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zaire.
America: Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Surinam, Venezuela.
