Malaria is a serious disease, common in tropical areas, which can prove to be fatal.
The disease is carried by infected mosquitoes that infect you when they bite.
Malaria risk is fairly high throughout the Caribbean, Central America and areas of South America.
The symptoms of malaria include a fever most commonly, as well as chills, headache, muscle ache, tiredness and flu-like illness. Many sufferers also experience diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.
Symptoms usually begin 10 days to 4 weeks after being infected, however some people start suffering up to a year later. If you have been to a malaria risk area and suffer any of the above symptoms, seek medical assistance and advise your doctor when you were in the malaria risk area.
Malaria risks throughout Latin America are as follows:
Argentina | Rural northwestern areas |
Bolivia | Rural areas below 2500m and amazon basin area |
Chile | No risk |
Costa Rica | Rural areas below 500m, Nicaragua border and around Puerto Limon |
Cuba | No risk |
Dominican Republic | Risk throughout country, although less in resorts and east |
Ecuador | Esmeraldas province and below 1500m |
Guatemala | Areas below 1500m and both northern and western regions |
Mexico | Rural areas |
Peru | Rural areas east of Andes, west of Amazon basin and below 1500m |
To reduce the risk of malaria, avoid mosquito bites, wear appropriate clothing, use mosquito netting at night, wear repellant and take appropriate medication.