Health
The diseases of most concern are mosquito-borne infections, including malaria,
yellow fever and dengue fever, which are not a significant concern in temperate
regions.
Inoculations
However, becoming ill on the way is relatively common and may include respiratory
infections, diarrhoea, and dengue fever. Most of these illnesses can be either
prevented or treated locally. Always pack personal medication. Getting a rabies shot
before going on a cycling holiday may be a good idea. If we encounter a rabid dog,
he will most likely go for those pedalling legs! Under normal circumstances, a
chasing dog will soon lose interest when you stop pedalling.
Make sure you are up to date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines
include Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella
(chickenpox), and polio.
Recommended Vaccinations
Most travellers only spend little time, if any, in high-risk areas. For those travellers,
little precautions and probably no immunisations are needed. However, wearing
clothing that covers your body and using bug spray should decrease the chance of
catching one of these diseases.
The information on this page is simply a collection of general precautions. Please
consult your doctor for medical advice.
Yellow Fever
A yellow-fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers coming from endemic
areas. It is required if travelling from Brazil, including a transit of more than 12
hours in an airport in Brazil.
Malaria
When travelling in Venezuela, you should avoid mosquito bites to prevent malaria.
In addition, you may need to take prescription medicine before, during, and after
your trip to prevent malaria, depending on your travel plans, such as where you are
going when you are travelling and spending much time outdoors or sleeping
outside. Talk to your doctor about how you can prevent malaria while travelling.
Areas of Venezuela with a risk of malaria are areas under 1,700 m.
Rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals in Venezuela, so CDC
recommends this vaccine for the following groups:
Travellers involved in outdoor and other activities (such as camping, hiking, biking,
adventure travel, and caving) that put them at risk for animal bites.
People working with or around animals (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals,
and researchers).
Hepatitis A
A hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for travellers who drink non-bottled
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AA