CITY: SANTA CRUZ
COUNTRY: BOLIVIA
ALTITUDE: 400 meters
HEALTH
CONCERNS:
Although most visitors remain healthy during their stay in Santa Cruz, bacterial enteritis (including salmonella, typhoid, and cholera), hepatitis, tuberculosis, intestinal parasites, hantavirus, dengue, and rabies are important health concerns. In the areas surrounding Santa Cruz (but not within the city), yellow fever and malaria are two common mosquito-borne diseases.HEALTH PRECAUTIONS:
Water is not potable at the tap. Drink only bottled water and avoid adding ice to your drinks. Eat only fruits and vegetables that can be peeled or cooked.
Apply mosquito repellent if you notice the presence of mosquitoes or if you have traveled to areas outside of Santa Cruz. If you will be traveling to surrounding areas for several days, consider taking medication for malaria prophylaxis (chloroquine, doxycycline, or mefloquine). Make sure that your yellow fever vaccination is current (valid for 10 years).
Do not approach stray animals. In addition to other risks, stray animals may have rabies.MEDICAL RESOURCES:
The Health Unit in the Consular Office is staffed by an American registered nurse. Catherine Blumhorst R.N. can be reached at the Health Unit (tel. # 330725) or on her cellular phone (# 013-61289). The Post Medical Advisor is Dr. Jorge Foianini, an American-trained general surgeon. He can be reached by cellular phone (# 016-27647).
Clínica Foianini is a 35-bed hospital with a well-equipped emergency room, operating room, and intensive care unit. The emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day by a surgeon and a pediatrician, each specialized in emergency care. The hospital also has an ambulance service that can be reached at telephone # 362211.
In case of an emergency, go directly to Clínica Foianini's emergency room, Av. Irala #468, and call Embassy nurse Cathy Blumhorst (cell # 013-61289) and/or Dr. Foianini (cell # 016-27647) from there. Depending on the type of emergency, go to the hospital by private vehicle or taxi, call the Roving Patrol (tel. # 423369), or call the Clínica Foianini Ambulance Service (tel. # 362211)TRAVEL TO LA PAZ:
Approximately 25% of people experience an unpleasant period of acclimatization (Acute Mountain Sickness) after they arrive in La Paz. Occasionally, this acclimatization can result in serious complications. Individuals with hypertension, diabetes, angina pectoris, asthma, emphysema, and blood diseases (like sickle cell disease and trait) should see their physician for clearance to come to altitude. If you have a respiratory illness, delay your arrival until improved.
All adults and children over the age of five traveling to La Paz should take the drug Diamox (acetazolamide) twice a day, beginning on the day of the flight and continuing for three days after arrival until improved. Diamox significantly reduces, and in most cases prevents, the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness. Diamox, however, contains sulfa and cannot be taken by those allergic to sulfa. Common side effects include numbness and tingling of hands and feet and frequent urination.
Health Information for International Travel, 2001-2002