FACTS:
Official country name:
Republic of Venezuela (República
de Venezuela)
Area: 912,050 sq km (355,700 sq mi)
Greatest extent: 1,050 km (650 mi) from north
to south, 1,290 km (800 mi) from east to west.
Population: ca. 22,000,000
Capital city: Caracas (population ca.
3,500,000)
People: 67% mestizo; 21% European descent; 10%
African descent; 2% Indian.
Language: Spanish is the official language, but
there are more than 30 Indian languages.
Religion: 96% Roman Catholic, 2% Protestant.
Government: Democracy
President: Hugo Chávez Frías (since December
6th, 1998)
Visas: US nationals, Canadians, Australians,
New Zealanders, and most Western and Scandinavian Europeans do
not require a visa if they fly directly to Venezuela. All
foreigners entering Venezuela by land require a valid visa.Check
for in your Country.
Health risks: Cholera, dengue fever, hepatitis,
malaria, yellow fever
Time: GMT/UTC minus 4 hours
Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
PASSPORTS:
Valid
passport required by all. Passports must be valid for at least
6 months if entering with visa or for duration of stay if
entering with Tourist Card.
VISAS:
Required by all except nationals of the following countries,
who do, however, require a 90-day Tourist Card issued from an
authorised air carrier:
(a)
1. EU countries (except nationals of Greece who do
require visas);
(b)
2. Australia, Canada and the USA;
(c)
Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Brazil,
Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Iceland, Liechtenstein,
Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay,San
Marino, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the
Grenadines, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan (China), and
Trinidad & Tobago and Uruguay.
Note:
Special authorisation is required from the Ministry of
Internal Affairs to grant entry to certain nationalities;
enquire at the Embassy for details.
Types
of visa: Tourist, Business and Transit.
Cost:
Business; £42. Tourist; £22. Transit; £22.
Validity:
Tourist and Business: up to 1 year; Transit:
3 days.
Application
to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy). For addresses,
see top of entry.
Application
requirements: (a) Completed application form. (b) Letter of
introduction from company or bank for Business visa. (c) 1
passport photograph. (d) Valid passport. (e) Fee. (f) Onward
ticket.
Working
days required: 2.
Temporary
residence: Special authorisation is required from the Ministry
of Internal Affairs in Caracas.
Culture
In
the years that followed the conquest, the Spanish colonists
came to entirely shape the national culture of Venezuela. The
influence of the native, pre-Hispanic communities was
marginal, as they were soon assimilated by the strong cultural
and political unity of the Spaniards.
After
the Spanish conquest, Venezuelan music evolved as a blend of
Spanish, African and Indigenous rhythms. Today, an African
influence is particularly apparent in the music of the
northeast coast, formerly the 'slave coast'. The Gaita
is the traditional music of Zulia State and consists of
improvised rhyming vocals over four-string guitars and
maracas. The Gaita is featured in festivals throughout
the year and has now become Venezuela’s traditional
Christmas music. The national Venezuelan dance is the joropo,
which is associated with the Llanos region and, like
the Gaita is a rhythm accompanied by improvised
vocals, four-string guitars, maracas and harps. However, the
merengue of the Dominican Republic and the Puerto Rican salsa
are the most popular dances in Venezuela.
Venezuelan
literature only began to develop during the colonial period,
and writings of the era were dominated by Spanish culture and
thinking. Chronicles and various styles of poetry were the
chief literary manifestations of the 1700s. The 1800s and
independence saw the rise of political literature, including
the autobiography of Franciso de Miranda. Romanticism, the
first important literary genre in Venezuela, unfolded in the
mid 1800s and is best illustrated by Peonia, by Manuel
Romero García. After independence, Venezuelan literature
began to diversify, but only began to rapidly evolve under the
regimes of Guzmán Blanco, from 1870 to 1888. The early 1900s
saw the rise of several significant writers, novelists and
poets, among them Andrés Eloy Blanco, Rómulo Gallegos,
Arturo Uslar Pietri and Miguel Otero Silva. Literary tradition
became established in Venezuela in the mid 1900s.
Colonial
architecture in Venezuela did not really compare to the grand
buildings of Columbia, Peru and Ecuador. Churches and houses
were simple, and most buildings were constructed in a Spanish
style. However, Venezuela stands out for its Modernism. Modern
architecture came in two phases, the first under the regime of
Guzmán Blanco in the 1870s, and second and most significant
in the mid 1900s, when much of the new-found oil wealth was
invested in the renovation of Caracas. Today, Caracas is one
of the most modern cities in the world.
Pre-Columbian
art in Venezuela consisted mainly of rock carvings and cave
paintings in the form of petroglyphs. The colonial era was
characterised by religious painting and sculpture in Spanish
style, of which notable examples include the sculpture St
Peter the Apostle by Enrique Antonio Hernández Prieto,
and Antonio José Landaeta’s painting The Immaculate
Conception. In the years following independence, history
took over from religion as the dominant theme of art, a genre
best illustrated by the exceptional work of Martín Tovar y
Tovar. 20th century art has been marked by
modernism, and many changes of style occurred in the 1930s and
1940s. Kinetic art has emerged in the last few decades, and
has been most successfully represented by the work of Carlos
Cruz Díez and Jesús Soto.
There
are many museums in Caracas, including the Museum of Fine Art,
the Museum of Colonial Art, the Natural Sciences Museum and
the Simon Bolívar Museum.
Venezuela’s
theatre tradition began in the late 1700s and has been
progressively growing ever since. The national theatre became
established some thirty years ago, and is now based in
Caracas. Venezuela is not noted for its cinema; few films are
made and foreign films are favoured.
Venezuela
has a strong folk and popular culture. Many regions have
well-known symbolic icons which personify their cultural
roots. Most significant are the andinos, the hardy
mountain folk; the guayanés, the tough frontiersman
following a dream; the llanero, the cowboy of the
Llanos and the maracucho, the energetic entrepreneur of
the Maracaibo area.
Climate
Venezuela
is located entirely in the tropics. The temperature varies
very little during the year and most parts of the country
maintain an average of over 25°C (77°F). Its capital,
Caracas, has an average annual temperature of 22°C (72°F)
and varies by only 4°C (8°F) over the year. However, the
temperature drops with altitude. The mountaneous regions can
get cold, especially at night, and there is even snow in the
highest parts of the Andes.
Like
all tropical countries, Venezuela only has two seasons, the
dry season, known as verano, and the rainy season,
known as invierno, which are marked by the difference
in rainfall rather than temperature. Generally, the dry season
is from December to April/May, and the rainy season lasts for
the rest of the year. Rainfall, however, can occur during the
dry season, and the rainy season often has dry months.
There
are many regional variations in rainfall. While certain areas,
such as the Carribean Islands and the northern coastal region
remain dry, with only 280mm (11 inches) of annual rainfall,
the mountain slopes of northern Venezuela are generally wet,
with annual rainfall reaching up to 1500mm (58 inches).
Amazonas remains wet for most of the year, and in the Llanos,
a vast plain in the south western region, extensive floods
during the rainy months are followed by severe droughts in the
dry season.
People
Currently
estimated at 24 million and increasing at a rate of over 2.5%
per year, Venezuela’s population is the fastest growing in
South America. Half the population is under the age of
eighteen. The vast majority of Venezuelans lives in urban
areas, and Caracas is home to about 20% of the population.
Population density varies according to region. While cities of
the central coastal region have a high concentration of
people, areas such as Los Llanos, the Amazon and Guyana are
inhabited by very few. Owing to the constant migration of
people from country to city, this distribution seems likely to
continue.
Venezuela
has a mixed ancestry. About 67% of the population are of
Mulatto-Mestizo descent, with the remainder made up of Whites
(21%), Africans (10%), and Indians (2%). Nowadays, many
immigrants also reside in the country, coming above all from
Colombia. The most commonly practiced religion is Roman
Catholicism, though Protestantism is growing in importance.
Practising Muslims and Jews are relatively uncommon.
There
are 31 indigenous Indian groups in Venezuela, including the
Piaroa, Guajibo and Yanomami in the Amazon, the Guajiro, Yukpa
and Bari in the northwest, the Warao in the Orinoco Delta and
the Pemon on the Guyana border. While some, such as the Pemon
are becoming more accessible to outsiders, others, such as the
Yanomami, are secluded and remain detached from the outside
world. The communities vary in size. The largest is the
Guajiro, with some 50,000 members, followed by the Warao with
20,000 and the Pemon with 6,000. All have individual
languages, most of which have evolved from three root tongues:
Caribe, Araguaco and Chibcha. Some tribes speak independent
languages, of which the better-known are those of the Warao
and Yanomami tribes.
Nowadays,
land developers and gold diggers from Brazil are becoming a
serious threat to the existence of certain tribes, especially
the Yanomami. Various organizations, for example CONIVE (The
National Indian Council of Venezuela) act to preserve the land
and culture of the Indian people.
Money
and Costs
The
Venezuelan currency is the Bolívar (Bs). Locals sometimes
call it the ‘Bolo’. It can be exported and imported in
unlimited quantities. You can buy Bolívares before coming to
Venezuela, but it can take time for them to be ordered and you
will get a better exchange rate in Venezuela.
The
US$ is the most commonly accepted foreign currency in
Venezuela, so it is recommended to carry cash and
traveller’s cheques in US$. At present, banks do not change
cheques or foreign currency, and tourists have to go to
exchange offices. As these are mostly found in larger cities
and airports, it is wise to obtain sufficient Bolívares
before taking a trip to the interior.
Credit
cards are widely accepted, but a surcharge of up to 10% is
often applied. Most commonly accepted are MasterCard/Eurocard,
American Express and Visa. You can also use a credit card to
withdraw money from automatic cash machines, which usually
dispense up to 100,000 Bs per day. If you require more, you
will have to make a transaction over the counter. Venezuelan
banks can get very crowded so allow at least 2 hours for this.
Costs
Accommodation:
Prices range depending on whether you are stringing up a
hammock or staying in lavish hotels. A basic double room with
bathroom will generally cost between US$15 – 30 per night.
Air-conditioned rooms are more expensive.
Food:
A decent meal in a local restaurant will cost between US$7 –
20.
Drinks:
Beer and soft drinks cost around 50c (per 222ml bottle).
Spirits are also cheap and a liter bottle of rum is about
US$3.5.
Nightclubs:
These vary. Some are free, others may charge up to US$10.
Sometimes drinks are included.
Cinemas:
US$2-10, depending on size and quality.
Transport:
national buses work out at roughly US$2 per hour’s journey.
Local bus rides are cheap and cost around 50c.
The
prices quoted above are average figures, so you can spend
considerably less if you look around for cheap places. Prices
rise at Christmas time and holidays.
There
are only a few discounts for foreign students or young people.
Sometimes you can get a 10% discount when paying in cash -
always ask.
Budgets
A
thrifty backpacker can live adequately on a daily budget of
US$18 -30. This would probably include basic accommodation,
one decent meal, drinks, snacks and the odd bus ride.
Healthcare
Venezuela
has both public and private healthcare services. The public
health service is run by the government and offers free
treatment but charges for prescriptions. Conditions, however,
are often different to what tourists may be used to. Private
hospitals offer a higher standard of treatment but these
require large deposits or a credit card, even for emergencies,
and can be very expensive. The private ambulance service in
Venezuela will also cost a lot to use. Public ambulances can
be found at Police and National Guard checkpoints (alcabala)
all over the country or called from the nearest hospital or
the Defensa Civil in the case of an emergency.
For
minor illnesses or health problems, Venezuela has many good
pharmacies which stock almost all brand medicines, and you can
buy most brands sold at home, often at a cheaper price.
Pharmacists will give you free advice, and you can purchase
most medication without a prescription.
No
vaccinations are mandatory for Venezuela unless you are
travelling from an infected country, in which case officials
may ask to see a vaccination certificate.
Many
diseases can be easily avoided if the right precautions are
taken. Always drink bottled water and check that ice in drinks
is made from purified water, which is usually the case.
Generally, you should not have any problems with Venezuelan
food, even from street vendors, but do give your stomach
enough time to adjust and be careful in the first few days.
Care
also needs to be taken when out in the sun. The sun in
Venezuela is very direct and extremely strong, so be sure to
wear a hat and use a high protector sunscreen to avoid sunburn
and sunstroke.
Diseases
Cholera
The Cholera vaccination gives little protection against the
disease and only lasts for six months. Cholera is caught
mainly from contaminated water, thus it can be easily avoided
if the above precautions are taken.
Hepatitis
‘A’
Hepatitis ‘A’ is a common disease among travellers. It is
spread by contaminated food and water, and can be serious.
Long term immunity (10 years or more) can be obtained from the
Havrix vaccination, which consists of an initial injection and
a booster six to twelve months later. Gamma Globulin is
another form of prevention. It is not a vaccination but an
antibody collected from blood donations. It usually lasts for
up to six months, thus should be administered as close as
possible to departure. It does not, however, provide the same
protection as Havrix.
Hepatitis
‘B’
Hepatitis ‘B’ is a disease spread through contact with
infected bodily fluids. It can be transmitted through blood
transfusions, use of unclean needles or sexual activity. Any
travellers visiting a country known to have many carriers of
the disease, where blood transfusions may not be adequately
screened or where sexual contact is possible should consider a
hepatitis B vaccination. The vaccination consists of three
injections, with at least four weeks between the first and
second shots, and five months between the second and third.
Tetanus
& Diphtheria
Tetanus is a potentially fatal disease and occurs in wound
infection. Diphtheria, a throat infection, can also be fatal.
Everyone should be vaccinated against these diseases. In both
cases, ten yearly boosters follow an initial course of three
injections.
Yellow
Fever
Yellow fever is a virus spread by mosquitos and is found in
many parts of South America. In many countries, yellow fever
is now the only vaccine that is a legal entry requirement, but
is usually only enforced with travellers coming from infected
areas. The vaccination is very effective, and one injection
lasts for ten years. It is highly recommended for anyone who
wishes to travel in or around South America. The vaccination
may pose some risk during pregnancy, but is still advisable
for women travelling to high-risk areas. People allergic to
eggs may not be able to have the vaccination and this should
be discussed with your doctor.
Malaria
Malaria is a potentially fatal disease spread by a certain
species of mosquito: the anopheles. Antimalarial
drugs do not prevent infection, but reduce the risk of serious
illness by killing the malarial parasites during their
development. There are many factors to consider when choosing
an anti-malarial and up-to-date, expert advice should be
sought. Those travelling to high-risk areas where medical
attention may be difficult to obtain are advised to carry a
treatment dose of medication, in case symptoms develop.
Malaria, however, is best prevented by avoiding mosquito
bites. The risk can be significantly reduced by noting the
following tips:
-
Wear
light colored trousers and long sleeved tops between
dusk and dawn.
-
Avoid
wearing perfume or aftershave.
-
Sleep
in properly screened rooms and spray the room with
insecticide.
-
If
sleeping elsewhere, use a mosquito net which has been
treated with pyrethroids.
-
Apply
mosquito repellent containing diethyltoluamide (DEET) to
all areas of exposed skin.
-
A
course of vitamin B complex tablets can help deter
biting insects.
APPOINTMENTS
-
Remember
that many Europeans and South Americans write the day
first, then the month, then year (i.e. December 3, 1999
is written 3.12.99). This is the case in Venezuela.
-
It
is better to be a few minutes early than a few minutes
late for appointments in Venezuela, so allow yourself
plenty of time to compensate for traffic - which can be
a serious problem in Caracas.
-
The
workweek is Mon. to Fri., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with at
least an hour break for lunch (many executives take a
two-hour lunch).
-
Stores
are open from 9:00 a.m. to noon and again from 2:00 or
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. or later. Shopping malls stay
open later.
-
Banks
generally are open Mon. to Fri., 8:30 to 11:30 and 2:00
p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Post offices stay open through lunch,
except in small towns.
-
Avoid
scheduling appointments two or three days before a
holiday.
ETIQUETTE
-
Topics
to avoid discussing are the government, personal
relationships, and the influence of the U.S.A. on South
America.
-
It
is considered rude to ask direct questions about a
person's family.
-
It
will be appreciated if you learn about Venezuela's
political and cultural history.
-
Present
your business card immediately following an
introduction. Treat business cards with respect.
-
Have
your business card printed with Spanish on one side and
English on the other. Be sure your position is clearly
indicated.
NEGOTIATING
-
Initiate
business contacts through local intermediaries. They can
make introductions for you at the correct levels, and in
the appropriate social circles.
-
Letters,
brochures, and other documents should be translated into
Spanish.
-
Follow
up letters with a phone call made during the morning
business hours in Venezuela.
-
If
you receive a reply from a Venezuelan in English, you
may begin using English in correspondence.
-
In
a business meeting, begin by getting to know everyone.
Don't rush into a discussion of the deal. At the same
time, do not try to be instant friends with your
prospects.
-
In
Venezuela, there are usually two types of
businesspeople, with distinct differences in their
styles of conducting business. Among the older
generation, you will find people who will want to get to
know you personally first, and will respond to you as an
individual, rather than to your company and proposal.
Among the younger generation, your contact may have been
educated in the U.S.A., and may relate more to your
firm, the proposal you are presenting, etc, rather than
to you personally.
-
It
is best to send an individual, rather than a team for
the first contact with a Venezuelan prospect. Later, you
should send other members of your team.
-
Negotiations
proceed much more slowly in Venezuela than in the U.S.A.
Be patient.
-
Avoid
dominating the conversation or putting pressure on your
Venezuelan colleagues. Venezuelans like to be in
control.
-
Do
not mention bringing in an attorney until negotiations
are complete.
-
After
the first business contact in Venezuela, it is
appropriate for your firm's senior executive to write to
the senior executive of the Venezuelan firm expressing
thanks.
-
The
focus of the business deal should be long-term, not
focused on immediate returns.
ENTERTAINING
-
It
is good practice to follow up morning appointments with
an invitation to lunch, where you can continue your
business discussions.
-
Arrange
with the waiters to have all restaurant and
entertainment bills given to you if you have initiated
the invitations. This is particularly important for
women, since they may encounter some resistance from
their male Venezuelan counterparts in paying the check.
-
Unlike
lunch, dinner is for socializing, not for business.
-
Dinner
begins at 8:30 or later, and lasts until midnight.
-
Spouses
are usually invited to dinner.
-
Businesswomen
should be aware that going out alone with Venezuelan
businessmen may be misconstrued.
-
The
two senior executives should sit facing each other.
-
The
senior visiting business person may give a toast
offering good wishes for the negotiations, adding a
memorized Spanish phrase about the pleasure of being
with Venezuelans.
-
If
you are invited for a meal at a Venezuelan home, be
aware that this is a sign of close friendship and not to
be taken lightly.
GENERAL
(TIME, VOLTAGE, etc.):
-
Venezuela
is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T. -4), or
one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T. +1).
-
Electrical
current varies between 110 and 220 volts, different from
that used in North America (110-125 volts). Electrical
appliances designed for North America may need
converters to "step down" this higher voltage
to the level required to operate. Some appliances cannot
be converted for use elsewhere because they require 60
cycles-per-second (again, found primarily in North
America), or have other requirements. These include TVs,
VCRs, clocks, microwave ovens, older typewriters and
vacuum cleaners.
-
Venezuela's
electrical wall sockets differ in shape from the sockets
used in North America. Electrical adaptor plugs are
available to slip over the plugs of North American
appliances for use in such sockets. If the appliance
being taken overseas has a polarized plug (one blade
wider than the other), be certain that the adaptor will
accept such a plug. If it has a third grounding prong,
it would be wise to obtain slip-on adaptor plugs that
also provide grounding in the foreign sockets.
LINKS
OF EMBASSIES & CONSULATES
|
Health Tips for International Travelers
Most people who travel internationally stay
healthy. But a your chances of falling ill depend
on what you do, where you go, and how long
you stay. If you hike or camp in rural areas, eat
from street vendors, spend time outdoors after
dusk, or drink tap water, you expose yourself to
a vast array of bugs. This is particularly true in
developing countries. And the longer you are
away, the greater the chances are of getting sick.
For those traveling to developing countries, the
rule of thumb is:
Be careful what you eat and drink, wash your hands
well and often, get vaccinated before
leaving home, and beware of mosquitoes.
Traveler's diarrhea
The most common ailment to strike travelers is
diarrhea. It is caused by ingesting viruses,
bacteria, or parasites found in contaminated food
and water. It is often caused by a strain of
bacteria (Escherichia coli) that may be different
from those in your country. The locals will have had
considerable exposure and will have developed
immunity. This explains why they aren’t sick all
the time.
Your risk is highest in food bought from street
vendors. It is lowest in private homes.
Safe Drinks:
Boiled water or hot beverages made with boiled
water.
Canned or bottled carbonated beverages drunk
straight from the container.
Beer or wine.
Not Safe:
Tap water.
Bulk-stored water on trains, buses, or planes.
Ice made from tap water even when added to alcoholic
drinks.
Milk or food made from milk products.
Safe Foods:
Bread or other dry baked goods.
Hard-boiled eggs with the shell intact–you break
the shell.
Fresh-cooked foods and soup served steaming hot.
Fruits or vegetables that you peel yourself.
Not Safe:
Raw or rare fish, shellfish, or meat.
Raw vegetables.
Fruit you cannot peel–berries or grapes.
Fish
Even when cooked, certain fish can have toxins in
their flesh. Barracuda and puffer fish are
not safe. In general, large fish are the most
hazardous. If the fish does not fit on your plate,
or
weighs more than 5 pounds, don't eat it.
If you still develop traveler's diarrhea, how sick
will you be?
Most cases are uncomfortable, but not life
threatening.
Symptoms include at least three unformed stools over
24
hours, nausea, vomiting, cramps, bloating, and
weakness, all lasting from 3 to 5 days. However,
dehydration can occur quickly in infants, the
elderly, or
anyone with underlying illness.
What medicines prevent it?
Most people should not take antibiotics every day to
prevent diarrhea. Some antibiotics can
cause side effects. However, daily antibiotics may
be appropriate for those prone to diarrhea
during travel and for those with underlying
diseases. Please discuss this with your own
doctor.
For prevention, healthy adults and children over
seven can take bismuth subsalicylate
(Pepto-Bismol) four times a day with meals and at
bedtime for up to 3 weeks.
How do you treat it?
Certain antibiotics will shorten the time you have
diarrhea and decrease other symptoms.
Ask your physician for a prescription if you are
going to an area where you are at risk of
travelers' diarrhea. Take the antibiotics only if
you have passed three unformed stools in a 24-hour
period.
Antidiarrheal medicines are helpful for adults and
children over 3 who have mild diarrhea
with little or no fever. Take a supply with you or
purchase it abroad if you need it. Both
bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) and Loperamide
HCL (Immodium A-D) are
recommended. It is NOT a good idea to use these
medications if you have a high fever (102° F or
higher) because they can worsen the problem.
Do not use antidiarrheal medicines:
For more than 2 days there is have no improvement.
For a fever over 101° F(38.3° C).
For bloody or severe diarrhea.
For infants and pregnant women.
Drink clear, bottled, flavored fluids. Eat salted
crackers, bread, bananas or other fruit you
peel yourself, baked potatoes, and boiled or baked
chicken. Stay away from dairy products.
See a doctor if you have these symptoms:
Severe, bloody, or profuse diarrhea.
Diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days with no
improvement.
Fever and chills for more than 24 hours.
Inability to keep down fluids, which can lead to
dehydration.
Infants and children:
Buy oral rehydration solution (ORS) to prevent
dehydration. ORS is a package of salts and
electrolytes that matches body fluids and replaces
what you lose through diarrhea. It must be mixed
with boiled or treated water according to package
directions. It is available at any pharmacy abroad.
If you are traveling with children, don't wait for
diarrhea to start before looking for ORS–keep it
on hand.
Adults can take a glass of ORS with every bowel
movement and drink a glass every hour.
Offer ORS to babies and children between feedings.
Offer as much as the child will take.
General precautions for babies and children:
Breast-feeding is the best protection against
infection for infants under 6 months. If
you use formula, mix it with boiled water.
Bathe babies in water that has been boiled for 1-3
minutes, since babies may
swallow tub water. But be sure to cool it before
giving the bath.
Teach children to stay away from stray dogs and
cats.
Do not allow children to bathe or swim in fresh
water.
Vaccines for Preventable Diseases
If possible, do not travel while you are ill. It is
not pleasant to be ill in unfamiliar
surroundings without your friends and family to help
you.
If you take medications, take enough to last you
through the trip. If possible, take extra
supplies in case you lose some. Do not pack your
medications in your suitcase. (Put them in your
carry-on luggage.) Take first-aid supplies. Bring a
list of your medications (with the chemical, or
generic, name, not just the brand names: Brands may
be different in different countries). Take condoms
with you if you plan to be sexually active, and use
them, or have your partner use them, every time. HIV
may be very common in some countries. Consider
bringing toilet paper and feminine hygiene products
if this applies. (They may be hard to get in rural
areas.)
Diseases that are rare at home may be common in
other countries.
Make sure all adults and children over 2 have
received all vaccines that your own country
requires or recommends.
Adults and children over 2 who will be traveling to
certain developing countries for more
than 30 days should also receive immunizations
against typhoid fever, meningococcal
meningitis, rabies, yellow fever for Africa and
South America, and Japanese encephalitis for rural
areas of Asia.
Children under 2 should have all vaccines required
for their age. If you are going to be
away for more than 2 months, make sure your child
receives needed immunizations on
schedule.
Children under 2 who are going to developing areas
for more than 30 days need rabies
vaccine if there is any risk of their being in
contact with dogs.
Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and
other diseases are spread through
mosquito bites in tropical and subtropical areas.
The best prevention is to avoid being bitten by
infected mosquitoes. How? Use insect repellent
containing DEET (diethyl toluamide) on your skin and
clothes, wear clothes that cover most of your body,
when possible stay indoors in screened or
air-conditioned areas during dusk to dawn hours, and
use bed nets if sleeping in non-air-conditioned
rooms. Do not use DEET at a concentration higher
than 10% on children.
The most serious mosquito-borne disease is malaria.
If not treated, it can be fatal. It is a risk in
tropical and subtropical parts of Africa, Asia, and
South America, especially rural areas. To prevent
malaria, medication must be taken before, during,
and after your trip. See your doctor or travel
clinic to obtain required prescriptions.
Keep drugs in covered containers away from children.
Overdoses can be fatal.
Malaria symptoms vary. However, most people have
fever, chills, sweats, and headaches in cycles.
If you become ill with chills and fever after being
in an area with malaria, you must inform
your doctor about your recent travel. Delaying
treatment of falciparum malaria, a severe
form that develops quickly, can have grave
consequences. You should insist on a blood test for
malaria even if your doctor thinks you have the
"flu." In some parts of the world doctors
seldom see a case of malaria, which makes
misdiagnosis a possibility.
For more detailed information on malaria prevention,
required vaccinations, and travelers'
health, call the Center for Disease Control Fax
Information Service at (888) 232-3299 or view the
Web site: www.cdc.gov/travel.
|
|
(12
sections)
National
Parks
Natural
Monuments
Nature
Calendar
