Central America

El Salvador

El Salvador has a developing economy, and tourism facilities are not fully developed. The capital is San Salvador.

CRIME: Violent and petty crime are prevalent throughout El Salvador and travellers are often victims. Travellers should avoid carrying valuables in public places. Armed assaults and carjackings take place both in San Salvador and in the interior of the country, but are especially frequent on roads outside the capital where police patrols are scarce. Criminals have been known to follow travellers from the international airport to private residences or secluded stretches of road where they carry out assaults and robberies. Criminals often become violent quickly, especially when victims fail to cooperate immediately in surrendering valuables. Frequently, victims who argue with assailants or refuse to give up their valuables are shot.

Kidnappings for ransom are an ongoing problem. Travellers residing in or visiting El Salvador should exercise caution at all times and take appropriate personal security measures throughout their stay.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care is limited. Emergency facilities, even in San Salvador, are very basic. Ambulance services are not staffed by trained personnel and lack life-saving necessities such as oxygen. Physicians at major hospitals, who are often trained in U.S. hospitals, are generally competent, but nursing and support staff are not up to western standards. State-of-the-art technology for dealing with life-threatening emergencies is rarely available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Most hospitals accept credit cards for hospital charges but not for doctors' fees.

Arthropodborne diseases:

• Malaria
• Chagas disease
• Dengue fever
• Leishmaniasis

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 of 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:

• Hepatitis A
• Amoebiasis
• Brucellosis
• Cholera
• Typhoid fever

Other diseases:

• Hepatitis B
• Rabies

Vaccinations recommended:

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
• Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
• Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
• Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
• A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years.
• Yellow fever when entering from a yellow fever endemic region

Prevent illness:

• 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.
  
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