Ecuador South America
Malaria Risk and Travel Vaccine Information for Ecuador
Ecuador - Travel Overview
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.
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Ecuador - Malaria Risk
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.
What malaria tablets should I take?
› Atovaquone and Proguanil 250mg/100mg- Generic Alternative to Malarone
› Malarone Tablets
› Malarone Children's Tablets (for Children under 40kg weight)
› Doxycycline Capsules
› Lariam Tablets (Mefloquine 250mg)
› Maloff Protect Tablets (Atovaquone/Proguanil)
Vaccinations for Ecuador
The recommended vaccines for Ecuador are:
Cholera
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Japanese Encephalitis
Meningitis
Rabies
Rec
Con
Con
Tetanus
Tick Borne Encephalitis
Tuberculosis
Typhoid
Yellow Fever Certificate
Yellow Fever Vaccine
Rec
Con
Con
Man = Mandatory
Con = Consider
Rec = Recommended
Req = Required if visiting from area with risk of transmission
Information compiled using FitforTravel and TravelHealthPro
Areas of High Altitude in Ecuador
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.
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Travellers Diarrhoea in Ecuador
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.
How to order?
Brands May Vary
Doxycycline
100mg (Single Capsules)
£0.24
Lariam
(Mefloquine 250mg) Single Tablets
£3.25
Adult Tablets
Malarone
Tablets 250/100mg Anti Malaria - Single Tablet
£2.05
Travellers less than 40kg
Malarone
Paediatric Tablets 62.5/25mg Anti Malaria - Single Tablet
£0.92
Acetazolamide 250mg (Single Tablets)
£0.55
Brands Many Vary
(Adult Tablets)
Atovaquone and Proguanil 250mg/100mg Single Tablet (Malarone generic tablets)
£1.45
