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south america, travel medicines, diseases, vaccinations, malaria tablets
 
 

Do you know which medicines you should take with you on your travels?

By accessing the interactive part of this web site you can obtain a list of all the medicines necessary for your trip.

Whether you are going on a holiday to a beach resort or a full blown expedition to some remote location.

However long you will be away or however many people will be in your group, wherever you are going and whatever you are doing, you can obtain your own customised list.

To access this special service:-
 
 
 
 
 

Do you know which medicines you should take with you on your travels?

By accessing the interactive part of this web site you can obtain a list of all the medicines necessary for your trip.

Whether you are going on a holiday to a beach resort or a full blown expedition to some remote location.

However long you will be away or however many people will be in your group, wherever you are going and whatever you are doing, you can obtain your own customised list.

To access this special service:-
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Home Introduction Information Main Page About Us Links
 
Vaccinations and Malaria Prophylaxis
for travellers to South & Central America
Click on the name of the required country or scroll down for the relevant information

Argentina
Belize
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica

Ecuador
El Salvador
French Guiana
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Marguerita Island
Mexico

Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Surinam
Uruguay
Venezuela
 
A key to the abbreviations used and information on the different
anti-malarial drug regimens can be found below the main tables
 
 
YEL

Yellow Fever
HEP A

Hepatitis A
TYP

Typhoid
TET

Tetanus
POL

Polio
MEN

Meningitis
ENC

Jap. B Encephalitis
DIP
 Diphtheria
RAB

Rabies
HEP B

Hepatitis B
 
M

Vaccination is mandatory and a certificate of vaccination is required for entry.
C
 A certificate of vaccination may be required if entering from an endemic country, (except for children <1 year old).
R

Vaccination is recommended for the country but no evidence is required for entry.
L

Long Term. Vaccination recommended for travellers staying in endemic areas for 3 months or more. Except Japanese B Encephalitis if longer than 1 month.
COUNTRY
MALARIA
REGIMEN
YEL
HEP
A
TYP
TET
POL
MEN
ENC
DIP
RAB
HEP
B
Argentina
malaria risk only in rural areas in the north west of the country along the border with Bolivia and Paraguay
 3 - R R R R - - - L -

Belize
malaria risk in rural areas only and is highest in western and southern regions. The risk in urban parts of Belize City is small.

 3/4 C R R R R - - - L L
Bolivia
malaria risk in rural areas below 2500m regimen 2 or 1,
the Amazon Basin regimen 1 or 2		 1/2 RC R R R R R - L L L

Brazil
the Amazon Basin region, Mato Grosso and Maranhao regimen 1. All other areas regimen 4.

See Map
1/4 RC R R R R - - L L L
Chile
No malaria risk 		- - R R R R - - L L -
Colombia
malaria risk in areas below 800 metres, regimen 1. All other areas regimen 4. 		1/4 R R R R R - - L L L
Costa Rica
malaria risk in rural areas below 500 metres. Risk is highest around central northern border areas with Nicaragua and on the east coast around Puerto Limon - regimen 3. Chloroquine resistance reported in recent years in tourist areas in Puntarenas costal province. No risk in Central Valley and San Jose but anti mosquito measures recommended.		 3/4 C R R R R - - - L L
COUNTRY
MALARIA
REGIMEN
YEL
HEP
A
TYP
TET
POL
MEN
ENC
DIP
RAB
HEP
B
Ecuador
Esmeraldas Province regimen 1,
all other areas below 1500 metres 2.
No risk in Galapagos or Guayaquil.		 1/2 RC R R R R - - R L L
El Salvador
malaria risk in the northern Santa Ana Province and in in rural areas along the borders with Guatemala and Honduras - regimen 3. All other areas are very low risk, adopt bite avoidance measures.

3/4 C R R R R - - - L L
French Guiana
malaria risk in the whole country all year round.		 1 M R R R R - - L L L
Guatemala
malaria risk in areas below 1500 metres. There is a higher risk in the northern and western regions of Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Peten and San Marcos.		 3 C R R R R - - L L L
Guyana
malaria risk in all interior regions and there have also been sporadic cases on the coast.		 1 RC R R R R - - L L L
Honduras
Risk is present throughout the year in most of the country including major cities - regimen 3. Chloroquine resistance in the Islas de la Bahia - regimen 1.		 3/1 C R R R R - - - L L
Margarita Island
No risk on Margarita Island.
Those staying on Margarita Island may take day-trips inland to the Angel Falls in Venezuela - the risk will be small for trips confined to daylight hours. Adopt bite avoidance measures.		 4 - R R R R - - - - L
Mexico
malaria risk throughout the year in rural areas along the west coast and in the south of the country not regularly visited by tourists. The risk in Cancun is very small but malaria is present in nearby rural areas. No risk in major tourist resorts eg. Mexico City, Acapulco, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta & Veracruz.		 3/4 - R R R R - - - L L
COUNTRY
MALARIA
REGIMEN
YEL
HEP
A
TYP
TET
POL
MEN
ENC
DIP
RAB
HEP
B
Nicaragua
malaria risk throughout the whole country all year round, although the risk is less in Madriz, Carazo and Masaya,
3 C R R R R - - - L L

Panama
very low malaria risk for cruises along the Panama canal - regimen 4. Areas west of the Canal e.g. Bocas de Toro if visited - regimen 3. Areas east of the Canal e.g. Darien and San Blas - regimen 2.

 2/3/4 R R R R R - - - L L
Paraguay
malaria risk in areas along the south eastern border with Brazil e.g. the Alto Parana, Caaguazu and Canendiyu departments. The risk is greater in rural and jungle areas.		 3 C R R R R - - L L L
Peru
malaria risk in rural areas East of the Andes and West of the Amazon Basin below 1500 metres - regimen 2, Amazon Basin area - regimen 1.		 1/2 RC R R R R - - L L L
Suriname
Risk is present and high throughout the year in southern and central parts of the country - regimen 1. In the city of Paramaribo and all coastal districts risk is low - regimen 4.		 1/4 RC R R R R - - L L L
Uruguay
No malaria risk		 - - R R R R - - - L -
Venezuela
malaria risk high in inland rainforest areas of Amazonia, Apure, Bolivar, and delta Amacuro states, including Angel Falls and areas south of and including Orinoco river and also along the Guyana border regimen 1. Risk is low in Caracas, neighbouring coastal regions and on Margarita island- regimen 4.		 1/4 R R R R R - - L L L
 

Map of South America showing areas of chloroquine resistant malaria.
 
YEL

Yellow Fever
HEP A

Hepatitis A
TYP

Typhoid
TET

Tetanus
POL

Polio
MEN

Meningitis
ENC

Jap. B Encephalitis
DIP
 Diphtheria
RAB

Rabies
HEP B

Hepatitis B
 
M

Vaccination is mandatory and a certificate of vaccination is required for entry.
C
 A certificate of vaccination may be required if entering from an endemic country, (except for children <1 year old).
R

Vaccination is recommended for the country but no evidence is required for entry.
L

Long Term. Vaccination recommended for travellers staying in endemic areas for 3 months or more. Except Japanese B Encephalitis if longer than 1 month.
 

The information supplied is derived from a number of reliable sources and is compared and compiled into the alphabetical lists found on this web site.

Countries requiring malaria prophylaxis should be regarded as being at risk all year round and you should also assume that the whole country is at risk unless otherwise indicated. The malaria regimen is the recommended regimen for a country. Use of the incorrect regimen may not provide adequate cover.

When there are two different regimens for the same country, they are area specific. Read the text to find out which regimen is suitable for the area you require.

Where regimen 1 is indicated there is Chloroquine resistance in that region and it is very likely to be the Falciparum malaria which is the most serious form of the disease. In this instance it is vitally important that travellers take adequate prophylaxis.

Remember:- No prophylaxis is 100% effective but not taking anti-malarials where they are indicated will put you at greater risk should you get the disease. Remember - Malaria is a killer!
 
The Different Drug Regimens
Regimen 1 Mefloquine one 250mg tablet weekly. OR
Doxycycline one 100mg capsule daily. OR
Malarone one tablet daily.
Regimen 2 Chloroquine 300mg weekly (2x150mg tablets). PLUS
Proguanil 200mg daily (2x100mg tablets).
Regimen 3 Chloroquine 300mg weekly (2x150mg tablets) OR
Proguanil 200mg daily (2x100mg tablets).
Regimen 4 No prophylactic tablets required but anti mosquito measures should be strictly observed: Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.
.
 
Proguanil 100mg tablets are supplied as Paludrine Tablets
Chloroquine 150mg tablets are supplied as Nivaquine or Avloclor Tablets
Mefloquine 250mg tablets are supplied as Lariam Tablets  
Malarone is a combination of Atovaquone 250mg and Proguanil 100mg
 
Length of Prophylaxis
Chloroquine, Proguanil & Maloprim Start one week before travel, throughout your stay in an endemic area and continue for four weeks after return.
Mefloquine (Lariam) Start two and a half weeks before travel, throughout your stay in an endemic area and continue for four weeks after return.
Doxycycline Start two days before travel, throughout your stay in an endemic area and continue for four weeks after return.
Malarone Start two days before travel, throughout your stay in an endemic area and continue for one week after return.
IMPORTANT!
Take the tablets absolutely regularly, preferably with or after a meal.
 

Long Term Use of Anti-Malaria Drugs
Chloroquine May be taken for periods exceeding five years.
Paludrine May be taken for periods exceeding five years.
Maloprim Can be taken for periods up to one year.
Mefloquine Can be taken for periods up to one year.
Doxycycline Can be taken for periods up to six months.
Malarone Can be used for travel periods up to one year.
 

Compatibility of Anti-Malaria Drugs
 

Pregnancy

Breast Feeding

Epilepsy

Psoriasis

Altitude

Scuba Diving
Chloroquine

OK

OK

NO

NO

OK

OK
Paludrine

OK

OK

OK

OK

OK

OK
Mefloquine

OK*

NO

NO

OK

NO

NO
Doxycycline

NO

NO

OK

OK

OK

OK
Malarone
NO
NO
OK
OK
OK
OK
* These drugs are not suitable during the first trimester of pregnancy.
 
Childrens' Dosages:
Calculate the dose by weight rather than by age if possible
Age/Weight
Chloroquine
(once weekly)
Proguanil
(once daily)
Mefloquine
(once weekly)
Doxycycline
(once daily)
Malarone
(once daily)
0 - 12 weeks
under 6kg
1/4 tablet
1/4 tablet
-
-
-
3 - 12 months
6 - 10kg
1/2 tablet
1/2 tablet
1/4 tablet
-
-
1 - 3 years
10 - 16kg
3/4 tablet
3/4 tablet
1/4 tablet
-
1 child's
tablet
4 - 7 years
16 - 25kg
1 tablet
1 tablet
1/2 tablet
-
1 child's
tablet
8 - 12 years
25 - 45 Kg
11/2 tablets
11/2 tablets
3/4 tablet
-
2 child's
tablets
13 years and over
45kg and over
2 tablets
2 tablets
1 tablet
1 capsule
1 adult
tablet
The above dosages are based upon the guidelines issued by
the Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention.
 
Adult Dosages
Regimen

Dose for
Chemoprophylaxis
Usual amount
per tablet (mg)
Areas without drug resistance:

Chloroquine

Proguanil

2 tablets weekly

2 tablets daily

150mg (base)

100mg
Areas of little chloroquine resistance (poorly effective where marked resistance):
Chloroquine plus
Proguanil		 2 tablets weekly
2 tablets daily		 150mg (base)
100mg
Areas of chloroquine resistant P. falciparum:

Mefloquine

Doxycycline

Malarone
(atovaquone & proguanil)

1 tablet weekly

1 tablet/capsule daily

1 tablet daily

250mg (228 in USA)

100mg

250mg atovaquone &
100mg proguanil
 
Please read the Malaria Page for more information
 

     
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