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      Colombia

      Latest update: - Authors: Ula Maniewski, Mieke Croughs

      Outbreaks

      This page contains the main health risks for travellers and general recommendations. Travel conditions are different for everyone and each patient's health condition varies. Discuss your trip during a travel consultation with your doctor or in a travel clinic, preferably six to eight weeks before departure.

      Check the current security situation on the federal government website.

      Important health risks

      Malaria

      The malaria risk is:

      • high in the areas below 1700 m:
        • along the Pacific coast, in particular departments of Chocó, Cauca and Nariño.
        • in parts of the departments AntioquiaBolívarCórdoba and Riseralda in the northwest
        • in departments bordering VenezuelaBrazil and Peruincluding the Amazon rainforest and in the department Guaviare.
          We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning, in combination with the use of malaria tablets.
      • moderate in the areas below 1700 m in the regions around the high risk areas on the Pacific Coast and in the east of the country. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning. For people with an increased risk, we sometimes recommend preventive malaria tablets, or taking an emergency treatment with you. 
      • low in malaria risk in the remaining areas below 1700 m. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning.

      There is no malaria risk in the areas above 1700 m and in BogotaCartagena and Medellin and the island San Andrés (in the Caribbean Sea).

      • Species: P. falciparum 39%.

      In case of fever during or after your journey, get tested for malaria as soon as possible.

      Yellow fever

      There is a risk of yellow fever in the entire country. The risk is very low to non-existant in the cities of Bogota, Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena and Medellin, the San Andrès Y Providencia department and in the areas above 2300m. 

      Other insect-borne diseases

      Insects can transmit diseases such as denguechikungunyazika, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.

      Protect yourself against insects

      Ticks

      Ticks can transmit diseases.

      Rabies

      Dogs and other mammals can be infected with rabies.

      Altitude sickness

      You may experience altitude sickness in areas above 2500 metres.

      COVID-19

      Take a look at the general preventive measures related to COVID-19.

      Other frequent health risks while travelling

      Read these tips before you leave.

      Vaccinations

      Yellow fever

      Recommended, sometimes mandatory

      Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers from the age of one year.
      In addition, vaccination is compulsory if you have been in a country where yellow fever may be present during the last six days, even if you are in transit through an airport (see map). 

      This vaccination must be administered at least ten days prior to arrival by an official yellow fever vaccination centre and must be registered in an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.

      Hepatitis A

      Recommended

      Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travellers.

      Update of basic vaccinations

      Recommended

      Other vaccinations

      Recommended for some travellers

      Discuss with your doctor whether one of the following vaccinations is recommended for you:

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