Risk / Health Info for Argentina

What shots do I need for Argentina?

In addition to your regular vaccines, which should be up to date before you leave, your healthcare adviser at Canadian Travel Clinics can help you protect yourself in Argentina against hepatitis A and typhoid. Those nasty gastrointestinal illnesses are spread via contaminated food and water.

You should also consider a vaccination against hepatitis B, especially if you will be working in a healthcare or dentistry setting, visiting frequently or staying for an extended period. Children should also get a hep B shot. Hep B is spread through contact with infected blood or body fluid, so it take care to avoid dirty needles and unprotected sex and be careful about invasive medical or cosmetic procedures.

It is possible to get rabies in Argentina, so make sure your shot is up to date. It is carried by animals, and children, runners and cyclists are common victims of dog bites. If you are planning to visit a remote region of Argentina or will be around dogs or bats or other animals, ask about a rabies shot. Always get urgent medical attention for an animal bite or scratch in Argentina, even if you have been vaccinated.

There is a risk of yellow fever in Argentina, so talk to our experts about getting a shot and a certificate to show that your vaccination is up to date. So long as you keep that certificate safe, you will never need to get another shot.

What kind of healthcare facilities are there in Argentina?

Buenos Aires has good healthcare facilities, but they are limited elsewhere in Argentina. Take enough medications with you to last your whole trip, as they can be hard to find. Also be sure to have enough funds to pay for medical expenses, including evacuation if necessary. Before you leave for Argentina get travel insurance ‎that will cover you. Check with your provincial or territorial health authority for more information.

The emergency number in Argentina is 911 or 107.

Protect your health in Argentina

Some parts of Argentina are home to the mosquitoes that carry Zika, yellow fever, dengue fever and chikungunya, so protect yourself from bites by wearing clothing that covers as much skin as possible, using a reliable insect repellent, and sleeping in air-conditioned accommodation or under a net where possible.

Guard against “travellers’ diarrhea” in Argentina by making sure you drink commercially bottled water, including in your ice cubes, and sticking to foods you can peel or have been cooked or boiled.

Altitude in Argentina

Parts of Argentina are higher than 2,400m, and travellers planning to spend time at a high altitude should take steps to protect themselves against the potentially life-threatening acute mountain sickness. Your healthcare provider can help with this.

Dengue fever in Argentina

There have been cases of the mosquito-borne virus dengue fever in Argentina. Dengue fever is also known as breakbone fever because of the severe bone, joint and muscular pains it causes, in addition to flu-like fever and headache. There is no vaccine for dengue fever. Avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellents (50% DEET) and by wearing protective clothing. Sleeping with mosquito nets is also recommended.

Malaria in Argentina

Malaria prophylaxis will be required for some parts of Argentina at certain times of year. There is no malaria vaccine, but there are anti-malaria drugs that should be taken before, during and after travelling to certain at-risk countries. Speak with your healthcare provider six weeks before your trip, as not all prophylaxis regimes are appropriate for all regions and all individuals.

Zika in Argentina

Global Affairs Canada has issued a warning about the risk of contracting Zika in Argentina. Zika is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes, and infection during pregnancy has been linked to birth defects. Women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant should take advice before travelling to Argentina. Zika symptoms include rash, itch, mild fever, headache, red eyes, muscle and joint pains. Avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellents (50% DEET) and by wearing protective clothing. Mosquito nets and air conditioning should be used when sleeping.