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Health
| | Special Precautions | Certificate Required | | Yellow Fever | Yes | 1 | | Cholera | 2 | No | | Typhoid and Polio | 3 | N/A | | Malaria | 4 | N/A |
1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not required as a condition of entry but vaccination is advised for all travellers over one year of age who intend to travel outside urban areas. Europe and some Caribbean islands require a vaccination certificate for visitors arriving from Venezuela.
2: Cases of autochthonous cholera were reported in 1996. Visitors are advised to take necessary precautions. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix for more information.
3: Vaccination against typhoid is advised.
4: Malaria risk in the benign vivax form exists throughout the year in rural areas of Apure, Amazonas, Barinas, Bolívar, Sucre and Táchira states. The malignant falciparum form is restricted to certain jungle areas of Amazonas, Bolívar and Delta Amacuro states and is reported to be highly resistant to chloroquine.
Food & drink: Mains water is not drinkable, and should be boiled or filtered. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.
Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present in north-central Venezuela. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Paragonimiasis (oriental lung fluke) and dengue fever have been reported. Hepatitis A also occurs; hepatitis B and D (delta hepatitis) are highly endemic. Cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis occur in rural areas. Visceral leishmaniasis is rarer. In the southeast, some deaths have been caused by mercury in the river water. Dengue fever is increasingly common and there are epidemics of viral encephalitis at times.
Rabies has been reported. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.
Health care: The best-equipped hospitals are in the state capitals. Emergency treatment is free and well catered for; most hospitals have intensive care units. Some private hospitals have an agreement with foreign embassies to provide medical care. Health insurance is not mandatory but it is recommended.
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