Health risks
Peru is a developing country with an expanding tourism sector. A wide variety of tourist facilities and services is available, with quality varying according to price and location.
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CRIME: Peru is relatively safe for the group tourist who takes appropriate precautions and does not stray from organized tour groups. In downtown Lima and suburban areas frequented by tourists, however, the risk of street crime is high.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care is generally good in Lima and usually adequate in other major cities, but it is less so elsewhere. Urban private health care facilities are often better staffed and equipped than public or rural ones. Public hospital facilities in Cusco, the prime tourist destination, are generally inadequate to handle serious medical conditions. One private facility in Cusco is adequate for acute care.
Arthropodborne diseases:
- Malaria
- Chagas diseas
- Epidemic typhus
- Leishmaniasis
- Yellow fever in the jungle below 2300 m
We recommend to prevent Arthropodborne diseases:
- 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 foodborne diseases:
- Travellers diarrhoea
- Hepatitis A
- Amoebiasis
Other diseases:
- Hepatitis B
- Schistosomiasis ( bilharziasis )
Vaccinations recommended;
- Yellow fever if visiting is planned to risk areas. And when entering from a yellow fever endemic region.
- Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin
- Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
- Typhoid fever - vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
- Rabies - if exposed to wild or domestic animals
- A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years.
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
- Trafic 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 chloroquine as malaria prophylaxis except in Jaen, Lambayeque, Loreto, LucianoCastillo, Piura, San Martin, Tumbes and Ucayali where we recommend mepfloquine (chloroquine resistance).
Compulsory vaccinations: yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas. Exempt infants under 6 months.
Recommended immunisations: *diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *malaria, polio, *TB, tetanus, typhoid, *yellow fever for those who intend to visit jungle areas below 2,300 metres
* 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.
Risks: malaria risk is high in the regions of Ayacucho, Cajamarca,Cerro de Pasco, Chacapoyas, Chanca-Andahuaylas, Cutervo, Cusco, Huancavelica, Jaen, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Piura, San Martin, Tumbes & Ucayali. Rabies.
Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:
- Malaria: Yes, All year along the Amazon river tributaries: States of Piura Jaen San Martin Tumbes Lambayeque Loreto Luciano Castillo and Ucayali. Also in States of Ayacucho Cajamarca Cerro de Pasco Chachapoyas Chanca-Andahuaylas Cutervo Cusco Huancavelica Junin La Libertad and Madre de Dios
- No risk areas: the Inca trail Cuzco City Machu Picchu and Lake Titikaka
- Maliaria Risk Category: B
- 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 Peru
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to Peru and prevention before arrival at Peru.
Travel data, health safety, warnings and recommendations for Canadian who willing to visit Peru.
