South America (tropic)

Paraguay

Paraguay is a constitutional democracy with a developing economy. Tourist facilities are adequate in the capital city of Asuncion, but they vary greatly in quality and prices. Tourist facilities outside of Asuncion are poor in major cities and almost nonexistent in remote areas.

CRIME: Crime is particularly on the rise in rural areas of the country. Criminals have increasingly assaulted, robbed, raped and even killed travellers and others thought to be wealthy. Local authorities have demonstrated a lack of the skills, resources, and reliability to solve these cases.

Armed robberies, car thefts, and home invasions are on the rise. Street crime, including pick-pocketing and mugging, is prevalent in the cities, particularly during the evening hours in the vicinity of hotels and airports.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Good medical facilities, supplies, and services are available only in Asuncion. Elsewhere, these are limited and may not exist.

Arthropodborne diseases:

• Malaria in Departments Alto Paraná, Caaguazú and Canendiyú. No risk in other areas
• Chagas disease
• Leishmaniasis
• Yellow fever in the forests

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 og 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:

• Travellers diarrhoea
• Hepatitis A
• Amoebiasis

Other diseases:

• Hepatitis B

Vaccinations recommended:

• Yellow fever if visiting is planned to risk areas. And when entering from a yellow fever endemic region.
• Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin
• Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
• Typhoid fever - vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
• Rabies - if exposed to wild or domestic animals
• A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years.

Stay healthy:

• 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 in risk areas

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