Ecuador

Have a safe trip with travel vaccines and advice from medical professionals.

Travel health and safety for Ecuador 🇪🇨

Ecuador is a country of incredible biodiversity and natural beauty, from the lush Amazon rainforest to the volcanic landscapes of the Galápagos Islands. In Quito and Guayaquil, you’ll find bustling cities rich in culture and history, while the Galápagos offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to encounter unique wildlife.

However, travel to Ecuador comes with certain health considerations. Altitude sickness is a concern in higher elevations, and mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria can pose risks in lowland and jungle areas. Taking preventive measures can help ensure a safe and healthy trip.

Travel Immunizations for Ecuador

What vaccines do I need for Ecuador? Get all the information and vaccinations you need to minimize travel health risks.

Yellow fever

There is a risk of yellow fever in Ecuador.
Vaccination is recommended depending on your itinerary.
Proof of vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country where yellow fever occurs.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus can cause liver disease, and in rare cases, liver failure and death.

Can be spread by fecal-oral transmission, consuming contaminated food or water, or close, personal contact with an infected person.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and joint pain.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that targets the liver and may cause chronic infections.

Its primary mode of transmission is through direct blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through unprotected sex or sharing needles.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting and joint pain.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when traveling internationally.

Spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected individuals.
Symptoms initially resemble a common cold, followed by a characteristic rash, fever, cough, runny nose, small, white spots inside the mouth and throat, red eyes, sleepiness, and irritability.

Rabies

Rabies is a devastating viral infection transmitted through animal bites.

Symptoms may initially include fever, headache, and discomfort at the bite site, progressing to more severe neurological symptoms. Rabies is fatal if it is not treated before symptoms develop.
Rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by salmonella from improperly prepared food or contaminated water.

Typhoid vaccine is available in both injectable and oral forms and provides protection against typhoid fever.
Symptoms of typhoid fever include a high fever, headache, weakness, fatigue, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite, and a rose-colored rash on the chest and abdomen.

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.

Health Canada strongly advises travelers ensure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including:

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Guards against the varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)

Protects against three different bacterial infections.

Flu (Influenza)

Vaccination against seasonal influenza strains is essential.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Provides immunity against all three diseases in one shot.

Polio

Essential for guarding against the poliovirus.

Shingles

Offers protection against a viral infection that causes painful rashes.

COVID-19

The ongoing pandemic necessitates adherence to vaccination guidelines and preventive measures.

Ecuador Concerns / Health Canada Recommendations

Traveler’s diarrhea

Most common illness for travelers, from consuming contaminated food & water

Affects up to 70% of travelers and risks minimized with good hygiene and safe food/drink choices (e.g. avoid raw foods, ice in drinks).
Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, bloating.
Azithromycin, the first-line antibiotic against travelers diarrhea, is available by prescription for self-treatment if symptoms develop. This can be obtained in your Travel Medicine consultation.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, similar to the flu. Without treatment, malaria can cause severe illness and death.
Malaria can be treated with anti-malarial medications.
Use insect repellents containing DEET, wear long sleeves, long pants, and consider staying in accommodations with screens or bed nets.

Tick and insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. Cover up and use insect repellents to protect against infection.

Chikungunya: Symptoms include joint pains, fever, rash, and headache.
Dengue: Symptoms include high-grade fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and nausea/vomiting.
Zika: Symptoms include rash, itch, mild fever, headache, red eyes, muscle, and joint pains.
American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease): Caused by a parasite spread by infected triatomine bugs. The initial infection may start with no symptoms or as flu-like symptoms and eyelid swelling. The infection can then become inactive for decades, but people can eventually develop digestive and heart complications and in more severe cases; death. Risk is generally low for most travelers.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is a common concern for travelers in Ecuador, particularly in regions above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), such as Quito and the Andean highlands. Symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue, which can worsen with rapid ascent. To reduce the risk, it’s important to acclimate gradually, stay hydrated, and avoid overexertion. In severe cases, conditions like HACE or HAPE may develop and require immediate descent and medical attention.

AMS: Acute mountain sickness (AMS) typically occurs when ascending to high altitudes too quickly. Common symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms usually begin within hours of arrival at altitude and can range from mild to severe.
High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is a life-threatening condition caused by swelling of the brain due to rapid ascent to high altitudes. It often begins with worsening symptoms of acute mountain sickness, such as severe headache, confusion, loss of coordination, and difficulty walking. If untreated, HACE can progress quickly to coma or death. Immediate descent and medical treatment are critical.
High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a serious and potentially fatal condition where fluid builds up in the lungs due to high altitude. It typically develops after rapid ascent and may cause symptoms like shortness of breath at rest, extreme fatigue, chest tightness, and a persistent cough, often producing frothy or pink sputum. Immediate descent and medical intervention are essential for recovery.

Over the Counter Medications for Travel to Ecuador

Pain Relief

Medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) can be helpful for managing headaches, muscle pain, or fever.

Anti-Diarrheal Medications

It’s advisable to carry over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (e.g., Imodium) to treat mild cases of traveler’s diarrhea. However, it’s important to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if diarrhea persists or worsens.

Antacids

Antacids like Tums or Pepto-Bismol can provide relief from indigestion or heartburn, which can sometimes occur when trying new foods or experiencing changes in diet during travel.

Allergy Medications

If you have known allergies, carrying antihistamines like cetirizine (e.g., Reactine) or diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) can help manage allergic reactions to environmental allergens or insect bites.

Motion Sickness Medications

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider carrying medication like dimenhydrinate (e.g., Gravol) to alleviate symptoms during long journeys or when traveling by car, train, or boat.

Sun Protection

It is essential to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, wear hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing.

Medical Services and Facilities in Ecuador

Good health care is limited and varies throughout the country. Public facilities often lack basic medical supplies, especially in rural areas.
Private hospitals and clinics generally provide better care but are more expensive. Doctors often require upfront payment and may only speak Spanish.
Emergency services may be unavailable outside major cities. In the Galápagos Islands, medical evacuation can take up to 48 hours as there is no air ambulance service based on the islands.

Consular Assistance Ecuador

Quito - Embassy of Canada

Street Address: Av. Amazonas N37-29 and Union Nacional de Periodistas, Eurocenter Building, 3rd Floor (one block north of the Supreme Court Building, near Amazonas and United Nations), Quito, Ecuador

Telephone: 593 (2) 245-5499

Email: quito.consular@international.gc.ca

Website: https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/ecuador-equateur/quito.aspx?lang=eng

Guayaquil - Honorary Consul of Canada

Street Address: Avenida Francisco de Orellana, Number 234, Blue Towers Building, 6th Floor, Office 604, Guayaquil, Ecuador

Telephone: 593 (4) 263-1109

Email: guayaquil@international.gc.ca

Website: https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/ecuador-equateur/guayaquil.aspx?lang=eng

Emergency Services

In case of emergency, dial:

131 for emergency medical services
132 for fire
133 for police

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