ArgentinaMAIN HEALTH RISKS- Malaria is present in the country; contaminated zones are Norht-West Andean provinces (Salta and Jujuy) close to Bolivia. Strains are not resistant to chloroquine (zone 1).
- Infectious diseases (hantavirus, Junin virus...) are present in Argentina and they are often deadly. The infection risk is low but real. Over 1500 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome have been reported in South America between 1993 and 2004. This virus, transmitted by a small rodent and transmitted through the air or through contact, is present in Patagonia, notablly in the south of the San Carlos de Bariloche region. Argentinina hemorrhagic fever is a serious condition caused by the Junin virus. The endemic area is localized in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Cordoba and La Pampa. It is also transmitted through the air or through contact with an infected rodent.
- 270 cases of dengue fever have been observed in 2006, mainly in the great Buenos Aires and in the provinces of Misiones, Corrientes, Chaco and Formosa. This disease is nowadays considered by Argentinian health authorities as a first-class threat.
- 4 cases of Nile Virus infection have been reported over the last year.
- Tuberculosis is present in the country.
- Animal rabies is present in the north of the country close to Paraguay (Formosa and Chaco).
- Diarrheic diseases are very frequent.
FOOD SAFETY- Tap water is drinkable in main cities, but should be avoided in tropical zones where it is recommended to drink bottled water.
- Avoid eating ice cream and sherbet.
- Avoid eating raw or undercooked dishes, especially meat or fish. If possible, order hot dishes.
- Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
- Wash your hands carefully before each meal.
IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION- No immunization is required to enter the country.
Systematically:- Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
- Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.
- Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.
Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:- Typhoid fever: if the stay is occurring in precarious hygiene condition. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
- Rabies: recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
- Tuberculosis : in case of a long stay, it is recommended to have children immunized against tuberculosis as soon as they reach the age of one month, and against mumps, measles and rubella when they reach the age of nine months.
Recommended chemoprophylaxis against malaria (for a trip to northern Argentina): chloroquine (commercial name: Nivaquine).
HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES- Hopital Aleman, Pueyrredon 1640, Buenos Aires: phone + 54 11 48 21 17 00, fax + 54 11 48 27 70 14
- Clinica Suizo-Argentina, Pueyrredon 1461, Buenos Aires: phone + 54 11 48 21 13 13, fax + 54 11 48 21 32 33
EMERGENCY CONTACTS - Firemen / ambulances / police: 101
CLIMATE - Climate is subtropical (hot and wet) in the north-west of the country. The rain season lasts from November to March with violent but short thunderstorms. From May to September, temperatures are pleasant during the day and nights may be chilly.
- In the north-west of the country, the rain season begins in October and end in March. Days are hot and nights are chilly. The rest of the year, temperatures are pleasant and it almost never rains.
- Around Buenos Aires, the climate is wet all the time, summers are hot and winters mild.
- In Patagonia, rain is scarce all year long. Winters are dry, sunny and very windy, summers are mild.
- In Tierra De Fuego, winters are cold and summers chilly.
- When to go: between October and April.
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