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
Argentina is a developing nation classified as high income. Located in southern South America along the South Atlantic Ocean (east of Chile and west of Uruguay), the climate is extremely diverse with classifications that range from dry (arid) to cold polar (tundra and ice).
Vaccinations
Yellow Fever
See also: Library article for Yellow Fever
Vaccination is usually recommended if you’ll be traveling in areas where there is risk of yellow fever transmission.
- Requirement: No requirement for any traveler.
- 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) Country certified malaria-free in 2019.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
Moderate risk exists throughout the country, with minimal risk in deluxe accommodations. Community sanitation and food safety measures may be 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.
Other Food-Borne Illnesses
Precautions to prevent brucellosis may be needed.
Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases
Chagas' disease (American trypanosomiasis), chikungunya, dengue, leishmaniasis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, West Nile virus, Zika may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.
Other Disease and Health Risks
Additional concerns include altitude illness, anthrax disease, hantavirus, hepatitis C, leptospirosis, 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 Buenos Aires. Targets may include domestic and international organizations and businesses.
Crime
High risk of violent crime (armed robbery and sexual assault) and high risk of petty crime exist in Buenos Aires (especially in Congreso, La Boca, Recoleta, and San Telmo neighborhoods and on Florida Street), Mendoza (especially in General San Martín Park), and other cities throughout the country. Theft of valuables from unattended rental vehicles is common.
Express kidnappings to force cash withdrawals at ATMs may occur throughout the country.
Scams involving the use of distraction techniques to commit robbery (including squirting substances on victims) and exorbitant fees for services have been reported.
Civil Unrest
Protests and demonstrations frequently occur throughout the country, especially in Buenos Aires, 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.
Water Safety
Rent water sports equipment from reputable operators. Scuba dive only with personnel certified by PADI or NAUI, and use equipment only from PADI- or NAUI-certified dive operators.
Outdoor Safety
Basic safety standards for adventure activities (including paragliding and recreational off-roading) may not be in place. Travelers should only use reputable adventure-sport operators for activities and equipment rentals.
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.
Speed laws are poorly enforced.
Seat belt laws are poorly enforced.
Airline Safety
The US Federal Aviation Administration has determined that the civil aviation authority of this country oversees its air carriers in accordance with minimum international safety standards.
Natural Disasters
Seasonal flooding frequently occurs in northern provinces, especially in Buenos Aires Province.
Seismic and volcanic activity frequently occur, especially in San Juan and Mendoza provinces and other areas bordering Chile.
Consular Information
Selected Embassies or Consulates in Argentina
- United States: [+54] 11-5777-4533; ar.usembassy.gov
- Canada: [+54] 11-4808-1000; www.argentina.gc.ca
- United Kingdom: [+54] 11-4808-2200; www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-buenos-aires
- Australia: [+54] 11-4779-3500; www.argentina.embassy.gov.au
Argentina's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries
- In the U.S.: eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar/en
- In Canada: ecana.cancilleria.gob.ar/en
- In the U.K.: eruni.cancilleria.gob.ar
- In Australia: eaust.mrecic.gov.ar/en
Visa/HIV Testing
HIV testing is not required to obtain a tourist, work, or residence visa.
