Planning Your Own Amazon Adventure
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Necessary Precautions
I hate to say it, but you'll probably need vaccinations before you go. You probably
hate needles as much as I do, but its best to play things safe. Here are some vaccinations
which you may need:
| Yellow Fever |
This is the most important vaccination since some
places won't let you in unless you're carrying a World Health Organisation certificate
which says you've been vaccinated. If you don't have this certificate you may end up being
jabbed at the airport on the way in (where there's no guarantee of sterility). Its easiest
to get the vaccination before you go. It can only be given at an approved centre (usually
your local hospital) and lasts for 10 years. Contact yor doctor for more information. |
| Tetanus. |
A tetanus vaccination is highly recommended in case of any cuts or
scratches. This can be given by any doctor and is quick and painless. |
| Hepatitis A and B |
Highly recommended |
| Malaria |
If travelling in or near the rainforest or rural areas then
anti-malaria tablets are a very good idea. There are many different types available,
offering different protection for different malaria strains.
Larium and Chloroquine are the two types that I have been prescribed
for the Amazon in the past. Larium has side-effects which can include irritability and bad
dreams. I had several bad dreams while using Larium and have requested Chloroquine on
subsequent Amazon trips. The problem with Chloroquine is that long-term use or overdosage
can result in liver problems. I met several travellers spending a long term in tropical
areas and who opted not to regularly take anti-malarial drugs as a preventative. They
instead kept a small supply of Chloroquine onhand for use as an "emergency dose"
at the appearance of any malaria symptoms.
Take a good mosquito repellent to minimise the chances of being bitten
by insects carrying malaria or other diseases. The most effective repellents have a high
percentage of DEET. Be careful when handling camera gear or plastics afterwards, since
DEET eats through optical lens coatings and causes plastic and rubber to deteriorate.
Mosquitoes strike in the period between dusk and dawn, so other simple
precautions include wearing a long-sleeved shirt and trousers during the evenings and
sleeping under a mosquito net. If sleeping in a tent, consider spraying it several minutes
before going to bed. |
| Typhoid |
This is reportedly common in rural and tropical
areas. Vaccination is recommended. |
| Polio |
Polio is reported in areas of Southern Brazil. Vaccination against
polio is simple and painless – simply a half-teaspoon of globulin to be swallowed. |
| Rabies |
Most New Zealanders forget to consider this
vaccination since we live in a country where rabies doesn't exist. Though expensive, this
vaccination will protect you if you get bitten or scratched by any animals while
travelling. Common carriers of rabies are dogs and rodents. In remote parts of Central and
South America (including the Amazon) there may be vampire bats which can also carry the
disease. Seriously consider a rabies vaccination if you intend to be travelling for some
time or are likely to have encounters with animals. |
The above list may not be complete. Check with your doctor to see if other vaccinations
or pills are required for the places that you wish to travel to.
Take a basic medical kit. Contents should include:
- aspirin;
- antiseptic cream;
- anti-malaria medication (such as chloroquine or larium);
- bandaids and bandages;
- scissors;
- sunblock and chapstick;
- insect repellent;
- skincalm cream (or calamine lotion) to sooth insect bites and/or sunburn;
- anti-diarrhoea tablets and a re-hydration mixture to replace lost minerals
and salts
(readily available soft drinks or sports drinks may provide an
alternative); and
- cold tablets (useful for coping with changing environmental conditions).
Also recommended is Fasigyn – available from most pharmacies in developed areas of
Brazil and Peru. Fasigyn or Flagyl is a remedy for giardia. Symptoms of giardia include a
bloated-feeling stomach, loss of appetite, and foul-smelling dihorrea. Giardia can be
picked up through water supplies.
The Danger from Animals
The Amazon no longer teems with the snakes and other wild animals as commonly depicted
in movies and adventure stories. The chances of running into a jaguar, puma, or snake are
very remote – even in the most pristine areas of the rainforest.
The biggest dangers probably won't be from wild animals, but from pets and stray
animals in towns and cities. There's also possible infection from insect-borne diseases if
spending time in remote areas without taking suitable precautions.
- be careful (and gentle) approaching or handling supposedly "pet" animals such
as monkeys and macaws; be especially careful with macaws – stay away from their beaks
since a peck can be painful; keep your distance from strange dogs and cats;
- don't provoke animals, and keep your distance from wild animals since a cornered animal
is likely to bite or scratch to defend itself;
- wear boots and look carefully when going on treks. This will offer some protection from
snake bite if your unlucky enough to find one; Other precautions include:
- don't poke your hands into holes or crevices, and be careful collecting wood in
forested and rural areas;
- if camping, check clothes, sleeping bags, and boots before use. If camping, have
tent with a floor, and a door or insect mesh that can be zipped closed.
- if bitten by a snake, get away from it quickly – but try to get a good
description of it for identification or (if practical without being bitten again) kill it
so it can be positively identified by others;
- there are very few reported incidents of people being bitten by piranhas while swimming.
But avoid swimming in rivers and lakes if you have cuts or sores (even if mostly healed),
since the smell of blood can attract them. Ask local people for advice about safe places
to swim (isolated pools during the dry season can be dangerous);
- if swimming in streams, splash the water a little before jumping in. Wear swimming
trunks and don't urinate in the water (this avoids candiru);
- minimise insect-related hassles by wearing insect-repellent, wearing a long-sleeved
shirt and trousers during the evening, and sleeping under a mosquito net or behind an
insect mesh.
   
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