Job Discussion Forums

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 11:41 pm Post subject:

In Quito, zero. Mosquitos cannot survive at this altitude, at least not in numbers sufficent to carry diseases. I think I've seen 2 or 3 mosquitos since I've been in Quito, and they looked lost and forlorn.

In the central region in general, this is the case. Then only areas where malaria has been a significant problem in Ecuador have been the jungle and the northern coast, as far as I know.

There was an outbreak of dengi fever in Santo Domingo a while back, and I think also in the Guayas province.

You can get a fair few fun things in Quito, most notably food borne or water borne parasites and infections. Hepatitis A is not unheard of. (get shots!) But nothing that mosquitos carry would have a chance here.

Even in the more mosquito prone regions, I've never felt the need to take antimalarials- conscientious use of mosquito repellent and nets have kept me from getting badly bitten, and I've been fine. If you're going deep into the jungle, or are going to spend a longish time in areas with high mosquito populations, then you need to talk to a good doctor about the medication to use.

Best,
Justin

MO39 · Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 12:01 am Post subject:

Justin,

Thanks for the succint public health report. The only Latin American country I've spent more than a long vacation in is Mexico. The first time I went there (in 1966) I was required to get a new smallpox vaccination, but nothing more. After that, nothing was required for entrance to Mexico or re-entry to the US. Apart from occasional homesickness and slight, fleeting cases of culture shock, the only illness I picked up there was "turista" now and then, but nothing even as serious as Montezuma's Revenge. What shots are recommended (required?) for entrance to Ecuador?

MO

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 3:47 pm Post subject:

Opinions on what may be legally required vary, and I have no definite ideas about this. I have crossed the border many times, and have never been asked for proof of any shots whatsoever.

Those generally recommended are Hep A, Hep B, and yellow fever. Though I've never been asked for evidence of a yellow fever vaccination to come in, some countries demand that you have one if you're arriving from Ecuador, or so I'm told.

Best,
Justin