Vaccinations for
Peru

02. Other health risks in Peru

In Peru, there is also a risk of diseases that do not have a vaccine. For your safety, we suggest you still keep these in mind.

Malaria

Malaria is a risk present in all regions of Peru and throughout the entire year.

Currently, the cities and towns in and around the Andean valleys below 2300 m / 7545 ft and the Amazon region along the border with Brazil and Bolivia, including the tourist areas of Manú National Park, Tambopata National Reserve (Madre de Dios), and Pacaya Samiria (Loreto) are affected.

Risk is low in eastern Junin and western Ayacucho, so antimalarials are not recommended for most travellers unless you have a previous illness with a fragile immune system.

The following areas are risk-free zones: Lima, Cuzco, Puno, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the coastal region of Chiclayo, and the departments of Lima, Ica, Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna.

Risk is low or non-existent at altitude above 2000 metres including the Inca Trail, Cuzco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.

Zika

There are confirmed cases of zika and a risk of contracting it in Peru. The cases have been reported in the Piura region. The places with the highest risk are Los Aganos, Chulucanas, Castilla and Catacaos.

Dengue

There is a risk of dengue in Peru. The risk is present all year, but with higher risk during the rainy season, from January to July.

To lower your exposure and risk to contracting dengue, mosquito bite avoidance is recommended.

03. Precautions for Peru

It is important to take precautions during your stay in Peru, as the diseases can be spread in many different ways and the risk can increase at anytime.

Mosquitoes

There is a risk of malaria, dengue fever and zika in Peru, and you cannot be protected against the diseases by vaccination.

Because of this, it is really important you protect yourself against mosquito bites, as they are the main cause of these infections during your stay in the country.

Food and water

All travellers going to Peru should take care with food and water hygiene, as there is a risk of typhoid and hepatitis A, which are both transmitted through contaminated food and water.

If you are visiting friends or relatives in Peru or are a long-stay traveller, you are at increased risk of consuming contaminated food and drinks, and you should therefore be extra careful.

04. Useful contacts in Peru

Below is a brief list of some of the most important services that you may need while in Peru.

The British Embassy in Lima The British Embassy in Lima can assist you, if you are in need of  urgent help. You can call them on +51 1 617 3000.

Local emergency medical services If you need urgent medical assistance while you are in Peru, dial the following numbers and ask for an ambulance: +51 1 225 4040 (for Lima - Alerta Med), +51 1 467 4861 (for Lima - Clave 5), +51 1 241 1911(for Lima - Plan Vital).

Medical facilities and practitioners If you get ill while you are in Peru, it is important you have adequate travel insurance to cover a variety of costs, such as repatriation, as medical treatment can be expensive and is not always available in some parts of the country.