Avoiding Mosquito-borne Diseases
Yellow Fever
Travelers are strongly advised to follow the existing CDC yellow fever vaccination recommendations for Argentina:
Yellow fever vaccination (at least 10 days before your trip) is recommended for all travelers older than 9 months who are going to the northern and northeastern forested areas of Argentina, including Iguaçu Falls and all areas bordering Paraguay and Brazil. These areas include:
All departments of Misiones and Formosa Provinces
Department of Bermejo in Chaco Province
Departments of Berón de Astrada, Capital, General Alvear, General Paz, Ituzaingó, Itatí, Paso de los Libres, San Cosme, San Miguel, San Martín and Santo Tomé in Corrientes Province
Departments of Valle Grande, Ledesma, Santa Bárbara and San Pedro in Jujuy Province
Departments of General José de San Martín, Oran, Rivadavia and Anta in Salta Province
See the Updated CDC Yellow Fever Risk Map for Argentina.
The vaccine is effective for 10 years. The complications from yellow fever vaccine are greater for certain groups of people, such as those younger than 9 months or older than 60 years, pregnant women, and those whose immune systems are compromised. For more information about these and other yellow fever vaccine precautions and contraindications, please see the prevention information in the Yellow Fever section of CDC Health Information for International Travel 2008. These travelers (or their parents) should discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination for travel to this area of Argentina with their physicians.
Malaria
It should be noted that the incidence of malaria in Argentina is very low but there is some risk in the areas mentioned below. Those visiting the risk areas should exercise mosquito precautions for short visits of only a few days and may want to consider medication for visits of longer duration. Certainly, those concerned may always take medication to provide the best possible protection. Please see your physicians for medication options.
Malaria risk area in Argentina: Rural areas of Salta and Jujuy province (along border with Bolivia) and Misiones and Corrientes province (along border with Paraguay).
Drugs to Prevent Malaria (Antimalarial drugs) If you will be visiting a malaria risk area in Argentina, chloroquine is the recommended antimalarial drug.
Protect Yourself From Mosquito Bites
Use insect repellent on exposed skin surfaces when outdoors, particularly during the day.
Repellents containing 30% to 50% DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) are recommended for adults. Lower concentrations of DEET offer shorter-term protection and require more frequent reapplication.
Repellents containing picaridin are available in the United States in formulations of up to 15% concentration, which require frequent reapplication. Repellents with higher concentrations of picaridin may be available in some regions outside the United States.
For additional information regarding the use of repellent on infants and children, please see the “Insect and Other Arthropod Protection” in Traveling Safely with Infants and Children and the “Children” section of CDC’s Frequently Asked Questions about Repellent Use.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Clothing may also be sprayed with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent for greater protection. (Remember: don't use permethrin on skin.).