Medical Summary
The health risk information presented here is summarized from Shoreland Travax®, a decision-support tool used by health care providers to perform a detailed health risk analysis based on specific locations, individual travel styles, and traveler risk behaviors. Travax provides practitioners current, independently researched malaria risk and prevention recommendations in a map-based format that goes beyond the annual WHO and US CDC statements included here. Not included here are current reports from Travax of disease outbreaks or environmental events that may pose elevated risks to travelers’ health and safety. The Providers section of this site offers a directory of health care providers who utilize Shoreland Travax for travel health counseling. Learn more about the detailed reports and maps available from these practitioners (includes links to samples).
General Information
Paraguay is a developing nation classified as upper middle income. Located in South America (north of Argentina and south of Brazil), the climate is classified as humid equatorial (long dry season) in central areas and subtropical dry winter in the rest of the country.
Vaccinations
Yellow Fever
See also: Library article for Yellow Fever
An official yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required depending on your itinerary. Vaccination is usually recommended if you’ll be traveling in areas where there is risk of yellow fever transmission.
- Requirement: A certificate proving yellow fever vaccination is required for travelers aged ≥ 1 year coming from Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela. This also applies to airport transit stops (no exit through immigration checkpoint) longer than 24 hours in these countries.
- Official Status: listed by WHO as a country where YF transmission risk is present.
Other Vaccines
Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies, or typhoid fever. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed.
Malaria
See also: Library article for Malaria
The following is current information as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
WHO—International Travel and Health (current online update, Country List)
(2021) Paraguay was declared free of malaria in 2018.CDC—Health Information for International Travel (current online edition)
Areas with malaria: None.
Drug resistance: Not applicable.
Other Concerns
Travelers' Diarrhea
See also: Library article for Travelers' Diarrhea
High risk exists throughout the country, including in deluxe accommodations. Community sanitation and food safety measures are generally inadequate. Some itineraries (e.g., remote destinations, austere accommodations) and activities (e.g., ecotourism, eating street or local-market food) further increase risk.
Travelers should observe food and beverage precautions, which reduce the likelihood of illness.
Travelers should carry loperamide for self-treatment of diarrhea and, if risk is moderate to high, an antibiotic to add if diarrhea is severe. Consult a knowledgeable health care provider regarding which antibiotic is appropriate for you and most effective for your destination.
Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases
Chagas' disease (American trypanosomiasis), chikungunya, dengue, leishmaniasis, Zika may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.
Other Disease and Health Risks
Additional concerns include anthrax disease, hantavirus, helminths, hepatitis C, leptospirosis, plague, sexually transmitted infections, snakebites, tuberculosis.
Consular Advice
The material below includes information from the US Department of State (DOS), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), as well as from additional open-source material. Standard safety precautions that apply to all international travel can be found in the Library article Safety and Security.
Terrorism Risk
Low risk of attack by domestic terrorist groups exists in northern areas of San Pedro Department and southern areas of Concepción Department. Targets may include domestic and international organizations and businesses; public places and events, including those frequented by tourists; and transportation systems.
High risk of kidnapping by terrorist groups exists in San Pedro Department and southern areas of Concepción Department. Targets may include foreigners (especially Westerners).
Crime
Moderate risk of violent crime (armed robbery) exists throughout the country, including popular tourist destinations such as San Pedro and Concepción, especially in downtown Asunción (particularly Chacarita and Costanera areas and market or plaza areas) and in areas bordering Brazil and Argentina.
Moderate risk of petty crime exists throughout the country, especially in major cities, in crowded areas frequented by foreigners, and on or near public transportation.
Theft of valuables by criminals in passing vehicles is common.
Scams involving false identity (such as criminals posing as service workers) have been reported.
Civil Unrest
Protests and demonstrations may infrequently occur, especially in Asunción, and have the potential to turn violent without warning. Bystanders are at risk of harm from violence or from the response by authorities. Disruption to transportation, free movement, or the ability to carry out daily activities may occur.
Unsafe Areas
A dangerous security environment exists and armed groups are present in the Amambay, Canindeyú, Concepción, and San Pedro departments.
Transportation Safety
High risk of traffic-related injury or death exists. The road traffic death rate is 12 to 24 per 100,000 population. The rate is less than 10 in most high-income countries.
Structural standards for vehicles may not meet international standards.
Natural Disasters
The rainy season is from December through March. Floods, mudslides, and landslides may occur, including in Asunción and other cities.
Consular Information
Selected Embassies or Consulates in Paraguay
- United States: [+595] 21-213-715; py.usembassy.gov
- Canada: [+595] 21-227-207; travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates/paraguay
- United Kingdom: [+595] 21-614-588; www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-asuncion
- Australia: [+595] 21-608-740
Paraguay's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries
- In the U.S.: www.mre.gov.py/Sitios/Home/Index/embaparusa
- In Canada: www.mre.gov.py/Sitios/Home/Index/embapar-canada/EN
- In the U.K.: www.paraguayembassy.co.uk
- In Australia: [+61] 02-6156-1045
Visa/HIV Testing
HIV and hepatitis testing are required to obtain a work or residence visa.
