Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Rabies
still exists in Bolivia and people do die from it. If you'll be spending time in remote
areas or in contact with animals, it's worth having the vaccine, though all this does is buy
you extra time to seek medical treatment. If you do get bitten by a dog, vampire bat or other
wild animal, thoroughly clean the wound with soap and water followed by alcohol or iodine
and seek urgent medical attention. The only treatment is a series of injections in the stomach,
which must be administered as soon as possible; these are available in most Bolivian hospit-
als.
MEDICAL RESOURCES FOR TRAVELLERS
UK AND IRELAND
Hospital for Tropical Diseases Travel Clinic
0845155 5000 or 0207388 9600,
MASTA (Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad)
0870606 2782, check
masta-travel-health.com
for the nearest clinic.
Tropical Medical Bureau
Republic of Ireland 1850487 674,
tmb.ie
.
US AND CANADA
CDC
18773948747,
cdc.gov/travel
. Official US government travel health site.
International Society of Travel Medicine
17707367060,
istm.org
. Has a full list of
travel health clinics.
Canadian Society for International Health
csih.org
. Extensive list of travel health
centres.
AUSTRALIA, NZ AND SOUTH AFRICA
Travellers' Medical and Vaccination Centre
1300658 844,
tmvc.com.au
. Lists travel
clinics in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
CRIME AND PERSONAL SAFETY
Despite being among the poorest countries in the region, Bolivia has far lower levels of
theft and violent crime than in neighbouring Peru and Brazil, though in recent years
crime levels have risen. This is to the dismay of most ordinary Bolivians, who are
shocked and outraged by stories of theft or assault, and in general the threat of crime is
no greater in Bolivian cities than in North America or Europe.
The difference is that whereas back home you blend in and can spot potential danger signs
much more easily, in Bolivia you stand out like a sore thumb - an extremely wealthy sore
thumb, moreover, at least in the eyes of most Bolivians. There's no need to be paranoid,
though:thevastmajorityofcrimeagainsttouristsis
opportunistic theft
,andviolenceisrare.
By using common sense, keeping alert and taking some simple precautions, you can greatly
