Mosquito Borne Infections in Ecuador

Various types of mosquitoes transmit serious infections in Ecuador, including dengue fever (over 700 cases), chikungunya (1 case) Zika (2 cases) and malaria (141 cases). The actual number of people infected with dengue, chikungunya and Zika may be grossly underestimated, since many who are infected with these viruses have a mild illness and do not seek medical care where they would be registered in the surveillance system.

Advice

The risk of exposure to these infections will vary considerably in different areas of the country. Because malaria can be a life threatening disease, travellers to all areas at altitudes less than 1,500 meters (4,921 ft) should use anti-malaria medication depending on their itineraries. While there is a low riks of malaria in the cities of Guayaquil, Quito, and the Galápagos Islands, there is an increased risk in the four provinces of Morona Santiago, Pastaza, Orellana, and Esmeraldas. For all four diseases (dengue, chikungunya, Zika and malaria) measure to prevent mosquito bites should be followed.