Ecuador lies on the equator between Colombia and Peru, in north-western South America. It boasts the world’s highest active volcano, Cotopaxi, as well as many UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Galapagos Islands, the city of Cuenca, and Sangay National Parks.
Due to Ecuador’s equatorial location, there is no winter or summer season, however it has varied climates. If you’re visiting the coast or Amazonian jungle you can expect a more tropical climate, however at higher altitudes inland, it is cooler and drier.
Whether you’re going to the Amazon rain forest, or to the Galapagos Islands, it is worth knowing the risks associated with the areas you intend to visit. Malaria is active within Ecuador, especially in the tropical areas where mosquitoes are more prevalent.
The following sections contain information on the risk of malaria in Ecuador, recommended vaccinations and other important issues you may face.
The malaria risk in Ecuador is related to the region, with the higher altitude destinations such as Quito, as well as the Galapagos Islands, being malaria free. However if you intend on visiting areas along the coast, or near the Amazon basin, you will require prescription antimalarial medication to protect you on your trip.
Malaria prophylaxis is required in the following provinces:
• Carchi
• Esmeraldas
• Morona Santiago
• Orellana
• Pastaza Provinces.
Outside of these areas, malaria prophylaxis is not required.
Any of the medicines listed below can be recommended for malaria prevention in these regions.
Please check HERE to see a malaria map of Ecuador on TravelHealthPro (a UK NHS resource).
Ecuador has been actively reducing the risk of malaria since 1956, and now 99% of its population is malaria free.
If you don’t have a prescription you can save precious time by using our online consultation service to order the suitable malaria medicines for this region by clicking the following links. Your online consultation will be reviewed by a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber registered in the UK with the General Pharmaceutical Council. We only dispense genuine UK licensed medicines.
The recommended vaccines for Ecuador are:
Cholera | Hepatitis A | Hepatitis B | Japanese Encephalitis | Meningitis | Rabies |
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Tetanus | Tick Borne Encephalitis | Tuberculosis | Typhoid | Yellow Fever Certificate | Yellow Fever Vaccine |
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| Con |
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Man = Mandatory
Con = Consider
Rec = Recommended
Req = Required if visiting from area with risk of transmission
There is a point of elevation in Ecuador that is higher than 2,500 metres. An example place of interest; Quito 2,819m.
If you are planning on travelling distances which include areas of varying altitude, you should be aware of the symptoms associated with acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude cerebral oedema (HACE) and high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE). HACE and HAPE require immediate descent and medical treatment.
To help prevent these, see the travelhealthpro website for more information.
Patients potentially at risk due to unavoidably rapid ascents, or those with previous experience of Acute Mountain Sickness may benefit from taking Acetazolamide (Diamox). Travelpharm offer a free online consultation service should you wish to purchase this.
Ecuador has a high prevalence of reported cases of travellers diarrhoea with an expected risk of suffering illness greater than 20%.
It is important to ensure you observe strict hygiene and to be careful of what food and drink is being consumed. We have a handy guide available in our travel blog and we also stock a large selection of medicines to help ease your symptoms in our stomach and bowel section.
Travelpharm offer an Online Consultation service to make it simple and convenient for you to get hold of your anti malaria tablets without having to book a visit with your doctor. Our online consultation service means that we are able to ask you a number of questions during the ordering process, and when we receive your order it is reviewed by one of our pharmacists who will then dispense your items from our UK registered pharmacy.
How it works:
Ordering products with an online consultation service is simple:
1. Select Tablets |
2. Complete Questions |
3. Checkout |
Online Anti-Malaria Consultations:
If you are visiting a country that has risk of malaria, then it is important to take the necessary precautions so you do not pick up the disease when travelling. There are a range of anti malaria tablets available, and the type of tablet you require will depend on factors such as the area you are visiting, the length of stay, your medical history and drugs you may already be taking. All our medicine are legallysourced and dispensed in the UK, our credentials can be checked against the General Pharmaceutical Councils register.
Travelpharm supply popular anti malaria tablets, such as Malarone, Maloff, Doxycycline, Lariam, Atovaquone & Proguanil, which are generic Malarone tablets. These tablets are designed to provide protection from malaria, however certain tablets are designed to be taken at different stages, the table below shows how and when the tablets should be take. Always read the product leaflet before taking any tablets:
| Malarone (Atovaquone & Proguanil) | Doxycycline | Lariam | |
| How often should tablets be taken? | 1 tablet each day when in the risk area | 1 tablet each day in risk area | 1 tablet each week |
| When should I start treatment? | 2 days before entering the risk area | 2 days before entering the risk area | 10 days before entering the risk area |
| How often when leaving risk area? | 7 days when leaving the risk area | 4 weeks after leaving the risk area | 4 weeks after leaving the risk area |
