South America and South Atlantic Islands

AH1N1 virus (Swine Flu)

You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine flu page on the FCO website.  Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.

General Health

Good medical treatment can be expensive and is not always available outside the main cities.

Malaria and Dengue Fever are health risks in all coastal and jungle provinces, the interior and in the highlands below 2000 metres. Malaria is found mainly in the coastal province of Esmeraldas.  In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of Dengue Fever across the region, for which there is no vaccination or immunisation. Dengue Fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year.  

 

On 21 May 2008, the Ecuadorian Health Ministry recommended Yellow Fever vaccinations for all travellers to the provinces of Morono-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Zamora-Chinchipe and Sucumbíos in the Amazon basin.

High altitude, such as in Quito (2,800 metres) can affect your health.  If visiting Quito you are advised to take it easy for the first few days and drink plenty of water.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 25,000 adults aged 15 or over in Ecuador were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.3% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Ecuador and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.