Paraguay
Travel Destination – Paraguay
Paraguay is a destination of quiet depth, where authentic cultural encounters unfold amid colonial heritage and untouched natural landscapes. From the riverside streets of Asunción to the vast wetlands of the Chaco and the UNESCO-listed Jesuit ruins, travel here is unhurried and immersive. Shaped by Guaraní and Spanish traditions, Paraguay stands apart for its warm hospitality, unique music, and understated charm. Thoughtful planning ensures a journey that is seamless, healthy, and rewarding.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to Paraguay, booking an appointment with a travel doctor is an important first step. A personalised travel health consultation allows your doctor to tailor advice to your itinerary, whether you’ll be spending time in urban centres, rural communities, or remote natural areas.
Your doctor will assess your vaccination history, recommend travel-specific immunisations, and provide prescriptions for medications you may need during your trip. Ideally, arrange your appointment six to eight weeks before departure to allow time for vaccines that require multiple doses. Even if you are travelling at short notice, a consultation remains valuable, as accelerated vaccination schedules and essential preventive advice can still be provided.
Insect avoidance
Mosquito-borne illnesses such as yellow fever, dengue and zika occur in parts of Paraguay, particularly during warmer months and in low-lying regions.
Sleep in air-conditioned accommodation or rooms with well-screened windows and doors. If this is not available, use a permethrin-treated mosquito net. Wear long sleeves and long pants when outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk, and apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Additional protection can be gained by treating clothing with permethrin.
Whilst travelling to Paraguay, protect yourself from other insect bites to avoid diseases such as Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and New World screwworm myiasis.
Food and water hygiene
Paraguayan cuisine is rich and comforting, but food and water precautions help reduce the risk of gastroenteritis and gastrointestinal illness. Wash hands thoroughly or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser before eating. Avoid raw or undercooked foods, and only eat street food that is freshly cooked and served hot.
Fruit and vegetables are safest when peeled just before eating, such as oranges, bananas, and papayas. Drink bottled, boiled, or filtered water, and avoid ice unless you are confident it has been made from treated water. Taking these steps significantly lowers the risk of travellers’ diarrhoea and other food-borne infections.
Rabies prevention
Australia is one of the few regions without rabies transmission. In Paraguay, dogs, bats or other mammals can carry rabies, so avoid contact with animals, including seemingly healthy pets.
Your travel doctor can advise whether pre-exposure rabies vaccination is appropriate, particularly if you plan to visit rural areas, spend extended time outdoors, or work with animals. If you are bitten or scratched while in Paraguay, seek medical care immediately. Prompt treatment after exposure is highly effective, whereas rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Paraguay?
Yellow Fever
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Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness that can cause fever, muscle pain and, in some cases, serious complications. Vaccination may be recommended depending on your itinerary, particularly for any travel outside the capital, Asunción. While Paraguay's entry requirements are subject to change, a certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for those who have stopped over in a yellow fever endemic country prior to arrival.
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is a short term liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus. It is commonly spread through contaminated food and water. It is more prevalent in Paraguay than in Australia, and many adults are not routinely immunised. Vaccination is strongly recommended for travellers who have not completed a two-dose course, especially those staying with local families or travelling outside major cities.
Typhoid
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Typhoid is caused by Salmonella bacteria and spreads through contaminated food and water. Symptoms include prolonged fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal upset. A typhoid vaccine offers protection for three years and is often recommended.
Hepatitis B
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The hepatitis B virus can cause long-term infection of the liver. It is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids and can be spread via unprotected sex, unsterile medical procedures, tattooing, or shared personal items. While many Australians received this vaccine in childhood, immunity is not universal. Hepatitis B vaccination is generally advised for people who are planning a long-term visit to Paraguay or who have other risk factors for acquisition.
Routine vaccinations
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Although Australia has strong routine immunisation coverage, diseases such as measles, tetanus, and influenza circulate more widely in many countries. A travel consultation is an opportunity to check for gaps in routine vaccines and update boosters such as measles-mumps-rubella, tetanus, influenza, COVID-19, and polio if required.
Paraguay
Other health risks in Paraguay
Dengue
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Dengue fever is common in urban and semi-urban areas and is spread by mosquitoes that usually bite during the day. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and rash. Repeat infections increase the risk of severe disease. Prevention focuses on strict mosquito avoidance measures.
Rabies
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Australia is one of the few regions that does not have a risk of contracting rabies from wildlife. In Paraguay, dogs, bats or other mammals can carry rabies, so avoid contact with animals, including seemingly healthy pets.
Your travel doctor can advise whether pre-exposure rabies vaccination is appropriate, particularly if you plan to visit rural areas, spend extended time outdoors, or work with animals. If you are bitten or scratched while in Paraguay, seek medical care immediately. Prompt treatment after exposure is highly effective, whereas rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Gastroenteritis
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Gastroenteritis, otherwise called travellers’ diarrhoea, is often caused by bacteria in contaminated food or water. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps, usually appearing within one to three days. Staying hydrated is the cornerstone of treatment, often using oral rehydration solutions. Medical review is advised for severe, prolonged, or unusual symptoms, however symptoms usually resolve after a few days.
Non-infectious conditions
Deep vein thrombosis
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Long flights and extended road or rail travel increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Reduce your risk by moving regularly, stretching your legs, and staying well hydrated. Travellers at higher risk may benefit from wearing below-knee compression stockings, as advised by their doctor.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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Road conditions in Paraguay can vary widely, particularly outside major cities. If riding a motorbike, ensure you are experienced, follow local traffic laws, and always wear a helmet. Use reputable transport providers and vehicles with seatbelts.
For outdoor activities, wear appropriate footwear, use sun protection, apply insect repellent, and avoid overexertion. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment and evacuation is strongly recommended.
Crime and unrest
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Crime rates in Paraguay are higher than in Australia, particularly petty theft in urban areas. Political demonstrations can also occur. Check the Australian government's Smartraveller website before departure for the latest safety updates and government travel advice.