Health risks

Colombia is a South American country of more than 44 million inhabitants. Situated on the northwest corner of the continent, Colombia is unique in that it has warm water ports on both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Colombia offers travellers sandy beaches, majestic snow-capped mountains, vast rainforests and lovely colonial cities. In every respect, it is a great destination; the people are some of the most hospitable and friendly you'll ever meet and they love to meet and talk to the newly arriving foreigners in their beautiful country. In the past Colombia received bad international press regarding its infamous gun wars, drug smuggling and high numbers of kidnappings. However, under the leadership of the right wing president Alvaro Uribe, national security has become a number one priority, and Colombia has become a much safer place for tourists. The capital Bogota has for many years been one of the safest destinations within the country, serving as the hub of international activity.

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CRIME: Though the security situation in Colombia has improved considerably in recent years, the threat of terrorism is still high in many parts of the country. In Bogotá, where the threat has decreased in recent years, indiscriminate attacks targeting government buildings, embassies, public transport and areas frequented by foreigners do still occur. In many areas of Colombia, the security situation can change very quickly. In general, the more remote the area, the greater the potential threat to your safety.

In recent months there has been a marked increase in violent crime in Colombia. Murder rates have risen significantly in some major cities, particularly Medellin and Cali. Kidnapping remains a serious threat. American citizens have been the victim of violent crime, including kidnapping and murder. Firearms are prevalent in Colombia and altercations can often turn violent. Small towns and rural areas of Colombia can still be extremely dangerous due to the presence of narco-terrorists. Common crime also remains a significant problem in many urban and rural areas.

FCO advised British nationals in Colombia to exercise caution and remain vigilant throughout the festive season. Criminal and terrorist groups could look to take advantage of the high profile nature of the festive period to launch increased attacks against foreign nationals, particularly in major cities and tourist destinations throughout the country. Potential travellers should refer to this advice as well as information given by the local authorities. You should not travel outside of main routes at night by road due to the high risk of armed robbery and kidnapping. Use reputable companies when travelling by bus and remain alert.

Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks. You should avoid all demonstrations and protests as they may turn violent. Travellers are advised to contact their country's consular representatives and acquaint themselves with the latest situation before entering these areas, or preferably avoid them completely. Floods and landslides are common during the rainy season in April/May and October/November.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities and services in Colombia are not up to international standards.

Arthropodborne diseases:

Dengue fever
Filariasis
Japanese enchephalitis
Malaria
Plague

We recommend:

Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
Usage og insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing
Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses

Water- and food borne diseases:
All local water should be considered contaminated. All tap water used for drinking, brushing teeth, and making ice cubes should be boiled (bringing water to a good rolling boil is sufficient). Good brands of bottled water are available; check cap seal and ensure that the bottle is uncapped in your presence.

Amoebiasis
Cholera
ETEC (E.coli)
Giardiasis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis E
Typhoid fever

Other diseases:

Hepatitis B
Rabies
HIV

Vaccinations recommended:

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
Hepatitis B or immune globulin
Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
A booster for Tetanus-Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within the last 10 years.
Japanese encephalitis, only if you plan to visit rural areas for 4 weeks or more
Yellow fever, when entering from a yellow fever endemic region. Yellow Fever vaccination for travellers visiting the middle valley of the Magdalena river, eastern & western foothills of the Cordillera Oriental from the frontier with Ecuador to that with Venezuela, Uraba, foothills of the Sierra Nevada, eastern plains (Orinoquia) & Amazonia. Recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required only for travellers coming from, or in transit through, infected countries. A vaccination certificate is required for children over one year of age.
The following countries are considered infected:

AFRICA - Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda.

AMERICAS - Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

Stay healthy:

Wash hands often with soap and water.
Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
Do not travel at night
Traffic accidents are frequent, be careful
Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
Use malaria prophlaxis in form of mefloquine, at the western border region to Thailand we recommend doxycycline (chloroquine resistance)

Compulsory vaccinations: none.

Risks: Malaria risk is high all year in rural areas below 800 metres. Transmission intensity varies from region to region especially in the municipalities of the regions of Amaziona, Orinoquai, Pacifico & Uraba-Bajo Cauca. Transmission intensity varies from department to departmentwith the highest risk in Amazonas, Choco, Cordoba, Guainia, Guaviare, Putumayo & Vichada. Rabies. Infection is spread by the night-time - dusk to dawn - biting female Anopheles mosquito.Malaria risk is present throughout the country, excluding urban areas, and excluding the areas specified: The cities of Bogotá, Calí, Manizales, Medellín, and other cities and villages in the Andean highlands above 1800m / 5905ft are risk free. On the Caribbean coast, the sea resort of Santa Marta, the cities of Barranquilla and Cartagena, and the islands of San Andrés and Providencia are also risk free. High risk months for Malaria are: January - December.

Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:

Malaria: Yes, All year in whole country
Maliaria Risk Category: A
Trypanasoma Cruzi Risk: Yes
Sub Saharan Africa: No
West Nile Virus Risk: No
Chikungunya Virus Risk: No

Yellow fever vaccination requirements and recommendations and malaria situation in Colombia
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to Colombia and prevention before arrival at Colombia.

Tips and Advice on Traveling Safely By U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) For American citizens abroad

Travel data, health safety, warnings and recommendations for Canadian who willing to visit Colombia.

Health Safety and Security For Traveling To Colombia By British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Pre-Travel Health Consultation By National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) For British Travellers

Health Safety and Security Advice For Traveling To Colombia By Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Travel Health Advice and Consular Information By New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade