Chile

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• There are a few cases of imported malaria (no malaria-infected area in the country).
• Due to atmospheric pollution Santiago and pollen, fragile persons may develop asthma-like allergies.
• Be careful to altitude sickness in the Andes (from 2000 to 3000 meters). It is recommended to ascend progressively, to let the organism accustom to altitude, and hike only if you feel fit.
• Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
• There are case of animal rabies in the country.
• Diarrheic diseases are common.

FOOD SAFETY

• Gastric diseases are common among tourists who who do not take precautions.
• Tap water is drinkable in cities. In rural areas, favor bottled mineral water, without ice; avoid eating ice cream and sherbet.
• For fragile people (children, pregnant women, older or immunodeficient persons), avoid eating raw or undercooked dishes, especially meat or fish.
• Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before each meal.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• No specific immunization is required from travelers enterinf 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.

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Santiago
• Clinica Alemana de Santiago, Av. Vitacura 5951, Vitacura: phone + 56 2 210 11 11, fax + 56 2 212 43 80
• Clinica Las Condes, Lo Fontecilla 441, Las Condes: phone + 56 2 210 4000, fax + 56 2 217 2998
• Clinica Indisa, Avenida Santa Maria 1810, Providencia: phone + 56 2 362, fax + 56 2 362 0275
• Clinica Las Lilas, Avenida Elidoro Yanez 2087: phone + 56 2 410 6100
• Clinica Santa Maria, Avenida Santa Maria 500: phone + 56 2 461 3000

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 14
• Ambulances: 15

CLIMATE

• Climate is arid in the north, mediterranean in the center of the country (Santiago, Valparaiso) and cold in the south.
• In central Chile, the summer, from December to February, is dry and hot (28°); winters are cooler (10°) and rainy.
• In southern Chile, the climate is temperature but rainy all year long except in the summer.
• In the extreme south of the country (Patagonia), climate is cool (11°C in summer), with regular rainfalls and wind all year long.
• When to go: between October and March.