Venezuela health: malaria, dengue and vaccines before you go

Health in Venezuela is something to plan further ahead than for other destinations. Health services, public and private, have serious gaps, and some mosquito-borne infections are present across much of the territory. This guide summarises the UK FCDO advice and the US CDC information, consulted on 7 November 2026. It is general information and does not replace a travel-medicine consultation, which you should book at least eight weeks before leaving. For the rest of the trip, see the Venezuela entry and safety guide.

The health system

The FCDO cites the Venezuelan Pharmaceutical Federation, which reports an 80% shortage of medical supplies. Private clinics in big cities handle routine cases but suffer sudden supply shortages. Public facilities are weak, with frequent medicine shortages and unreliable ambulances in remote areas. Complex cases may require evacuation. The ambulance number is 911, and a national service called AeroAm can transfer you to Caracas or another major city after an accident. If you are referred to a medical facility, tell your insurer as soon as possible.

Insurance and medication

Take out insurance covering local treatment and medical evacuation, especially if you have a pre-existing condition or are pregnant, and have access to funds to pay for treatment and repatriation. Bring enough medication for the whole stay plus a few extra days in case your return is delayed, with the prescription or a medical letter. Remember that a drug that is legal in your country may have a different status abroad.

Vaccines and diseases according to the CDC

The CDC recommends the yellow fever vaccine from 9 months of age with some exceptions: it is generally not recommended for trips limited to the Capital District and the states of Aragua, Carabobo, Miranda, Vargas or Yaracuy, nor for areas above 2,300 metres in Mérida, Táchira, Trujillo, Falcón and Lara, nor for Margarita Island, Caracas or Valencia if the trip is limited to them. A certificate is required for those arriving from Brazil, including transits of more than 12 hours. Hepatitis A is recommended for unvaccinated travellers; typhoid should be considered in areas with poor sanitation, stays of a month or longer or visits to friends and relatives. All international travellers should be up to date with measles vaccination.

Malaria and dengue

The CDC recommends prescription prophylaxis in specific areas: transmission occurs below 1,700 metres and at Angel Falls. Chloroquine resistance is reported and the species are P. vivax (75%) and P. falciparum (25%). Several drug options exist (atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine or tafenoquine), some of which must be started days before and continued after travel. If you have a fever during the trip or up to a year afterwards, see a doctor immediately. There is no listed dengue vaccine: use repellent with 20% DEET or more, long sleeves, and air-conditioned or screened rooms. The FCDO also mentions schistosomiasis, a freshwater parasite: do not swim in stagnant water.

Altitude in the Andes

In the Andean states of Mérida, Táchira and Trujillo altitude sickness is a risk. Ascend slowly, hydrate and rest. In Caracas the altitude is moderate, about 900 metres.

Sexual health

Everything that holds for your life at home holds here: condoms, regular testing and talking with your partners. Bring your own condoms and lubricants; do not count on buying them anywhere during a blackout or shortage. See sexual health in the Dutch Caribbean for general ideas on related vaccines.

Preparing the trip with your doctor

Book a travel-medicine appointment eight weeks or more ahead and bring the exact itinerary: cities, altitude, rural areas and dates. Ask about malaria prophylaxis, vaccines that need several doses and how to manage chronic conditions without guaranteed supplies. Carry a medical letter in English and Spanish with your diagnoses and medicines. Keep receipts and medical reports for the insurer, and write your policy's 24-hour assistance number on paper in case the phone fails.

When to seek medical help at your destination

Seek care without waiting if you develop a high fever, difficulty breathing, severe pain, persistent vomiting, diarrhoea that does not settle, infected bites or any symptom after a risky exposure. Tell the doctor where you have been, which vaccines you have had and what medicines you take. If possible, go to a private clinic in a big city and ask for a detailed invoice. Do not self-medicate with antibiotics without a diagnosis: in a country with supply shortages, an incomplete treatment can make things worse.

Sources and limits

This guide relies on official sources consulted on 7 November 2026; travel advice, entry requirements and health recommendations change at short notice and depend on your nationality, so always confirm with your consulate, the country's embassy and a health professional. We have not added data that does not appear in those sources, and where something could not be checked we say so. References:

• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/venezuela/health
• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/venezuela

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the yellow fever vaccine for Caracas? The CDC does not recommend it for trips limited to the Capital District; it does for other areas, with nuances.

Is there malaria on Margarita Island? The CDC says transmission occurs below 1,700 metres in the country and gives no island-specific detail.

Which number do I call? 911 for an ambulance.

What insurance do I need? One with medical evacuation.