Venezuela
Good quality dental care is available in the capital - Caracas
Supplies of international medications are generally available from private pharmacies in the larger towns and cities.
Screening is inconsistent in Venezuela, therefore blood supplies should be considered as unsafe
Medical care in Caracas is good at private hospitals and clinics. Cash payment is usually demanded. Most hospitals and clinics, however, accept credit cards. In rural areas outside Caracas, physicians and medical supplies may be minimal.
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; avoid freshwater lakes, streams and rivers. 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. Single-use, disposable needles and syringes may be unavailable. Adequately screened blood supply may be available in some medical facilities in Venezuela, including major hospitals in Caracas. When possible, travelers should defer medical treatment until reaching a facility where safety can be assured.
The altitude, climate and prevalent tropical pollens year round in Caracas have aggravated asthma and hay fever conditions. Sinus conditions may also be aggravated.
Health officials suspect that river water near the southeastern border with Brazil may be contaminated with mercury, believing it to be responsible in the deaths of 19 Indians and apparent poisoning of 26 others in a remote Amazon jungle.
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 are an important cause of ill health in rural areas.
Dengue fever - occurs, including in urban areas
Dengue hemorrhagic fever - occurs
Encephalitis - occurs
Leishmaniasis (cutaneous and mucocutaneous) - occurs
Leishmaniasis (visceral) - common
Malaria - occurs
Onchocerciasis (river blindness) - occurs (problem exists in isolated cases in rural areas; the bites of blackflies, the carrier, may also transmit other filarial parasites or cause unpleasant and sometimes severe hemorrhagic reactions)
Trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease) - occurs
Yellow fever - occurs
Food-borne and water-borne illness: these diseases are common and include amoebiasis, diarrheal diseases, helminthic infections, and viral hepatitis.
Cholera - occurs
Echinococcosis (hydatid disease) - occurs
Schistosomiasis (intestinal form) - occurs in north-central areas
Other hazards:
Influenza risk extends throughout the year.
Rabies - occurs (carriers include vampire bats whose range extends to coastal islands)
None.
