Health and Safety Risks during a Nature Trip in Colombia

Posted on by Frank59872

Colombia is a tropical country with huge diversity of landscapes, weathers, and wild and plant life, it also has a complicated war history. Because of this, several risks put in danger the travelers and explorers’ safety and health, mainly in zones below 1,800 MASL.

If you are looking to travel to the deep forests of Colombia, to cross the immensity of the Amazon, or visit the dunes in the deserts of La Guajira, you need to know these travel safety tips to prevent yourself from health and safety problems and live your trip to the fullest.  

Health Risks in Colombia 

As any other country, Colombia has risks for the health of travelers, but some are due to its location in the tropics and the different altitude levels that come with new atmospheres. 

Air pollution  

The amount of particulate matter in some cities of Colombia can be harmful to your health. The highest levels of pollution are found in Caldas, Medellin, Bogota, Sabaneta and Itagüí, but since you are not gonna stay long in urban zones, this shouldn’t be a big problem. 

Prevention tips 

  • Older travelers should get a physical exam before your trip to test your lung capacity. 
  • Use a face mask in places with poor air quality. 
  • Travelers with pre-existing , such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), should carry antibiotics, inhaler or the necessary medication. 

Altitude illness  

No matter your physical condition, you are likely to get ill when you are at high altitudes with decreased oxygen pressure. In Colombia, regions in the departments of Boyacá, Caldas, Antioquia, Nariño and Cundinamarca are above 2100 m (6900 ft) ASL, although the risk is higher above 2400 m (7874 ft).

This is specially important for trekkers and mountaineers, who ascend to snow capped peaks of over 5000 m.  

Prevention tips 

  • Human bodies can acclimatize to high altitudes, so travelers should plan their ascent with gradual ascent rates and resting days. 
  • Avoid strenuous exercise and alcoholic beverages for the first few days. Keep your body hydrated. 
  • If you suffer from pulmonary or heart diseases, you should consult with a doctor before travelling to high-altitude zones. 
  • Do not continue ascending when symptoms appear. If symptoms persist while resting, descent to a lower altitude. 

Viral infections 

Viral infections that are present in Colombia include Yellow fever, Chikungunya, Dengue, Malaria, and Zika virus. Most of them have higher risk of transmission in tropical regions, so you should be aware of their symptoms and ways of transmission if planning to go to natural tropical regions in Colombia (those below 1800 meters above sea level). 

Yellow fever 

The yellow fever is a virus found in subtropical areas and spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Ill people may experiment from fever with body pain to severe liver disease with bleeding and yellowing skin (jaundice). There is no medical treatment, however there is a vaccination. 

Yellow fever vaccination 

The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMT) is an entity that gives advice for healthy travels all over the world. According to them, the yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers coming from Angola, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda to enter Colombia. 

Also, if you plan to visit any national park or flora and fauna sanctuary , you should have the yellow fever vaccination as a precaution, since the principal mosquito vector Aedes aegypti is present in the country.

Places below 2300 meters above sea level (7546 ft) are especially prone to the infection, and that includes essentially the departments of Amazonas, Arauca, Caquetá, Casanare, Cesar, Guainía, Guaviare, La Guajira, Meta, Putumayo, Vaupés, and Vichada.  

Click here to see a map with the regions in Colombia with recommended and mandatory yellow fever vaccination. 

Chikungunya 

The chikungunya virus is transmitted through the bite of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Infection can happen around urban and suburban dwellings and forested areas.

The virus can be asymptomatic or show late symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, nausea, rash, and chronic joint pain. There is no other antiviral treatment than the supportive care of symptoms.  

Dengue 

This viral infection is caused by 4 types of viruses transmitted by infected female mosquitoes. These animals bite during the daytime in areas with standing water and lack of sanitation. Risk in Colombia is present year-round, but is higher during the rainy season.

Dengue can be asymptomatic, however the symptoms are similar to those of flu (high fever, headache, eyes, muscle, joint and bone pain). The virus may worsen and become Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF).  

Malaria 

In urban, rural and jungle areas below 1700 m, the Plasmodium parasite mosquito may bite you during the night time and leave unnoticed.

The symptoms appear several days or weeks after being bitten and include fever, headache, muscle ache, vomiting, chills and fatigue. There is no vaccine, but a treatment consisting of artemisinin-combination therapy (ACT) and supportive care of symptoms.  

Be cautious to follow malaria suppressive medication guidelines if you travel to the Magdalena River (south of Barranquilla), along the Pacific coast, or east of the Cordillera Oriental. 

Fortunately,  Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cali, Cartagena, Medellín, Santa Marta, and the island of Providencia are risk free. 

Zika Virus 

Zika virus is transmitted by infected female mosquitoes during daytime and all travelers are at risk. This is especially dangerous since ill people may have neurological complications and pregnant women can transmit the virus to their fetus, who may develop microcephaly.

Again, this virus is mostly asymptomatic but the symptoms are similar to those of the previously mentioned viruses, plus an inflammation of the conjunctiva, a skin rash and sensitivity to light. Although there is no antiviral treatment, the average recovery time is 7 days.

Pregnant women or women planning pregnancy should avoid visiting areas with the risk of Zika Virus transmission or practice safe sex, since sexual transmission of the virus can occur. 

Insect bite prevention tips 

These precautions are useful to prevent any of the diseases above, especially in rural areas. 

  • Wear neutral-colored, long-sleeved, breathable clothing as much as possible. When hiking in wooded areas, tuck pants into socks, stay in the middle of the trail and avoid tall grasses and shrubs. 
  • Always wear shoes, both indoors and outdoors. 
  • Avoid scented soaps, shampoos, deodorants or perfumes. 
  • Cover any food, drinks and garbage. Also dispose of containers with water residue. 
  • Use a mosquito net to sleep. 
  • Ensure that all doors and windows work appropriately. 
  • Use and apply continuously a repellent with DEET (20% – 30%) or Picaridin (20%). 
  • Treat your clothing and gear with permethrin, when possible. 

 Also watch the advice of a doctor in Colombia regarding these viruses. 

Safety During a Nature Trip in Colombia 

Colombia is a potential destination for nature tourism, since it is the second most biodiverse country on the planet.

Many adventurous travelers come to explore natural landscapes such as tropical rain forests, which are home to various poisonous animals.

Also, although a peace treaty was signed in 2016 between the government and the FARC, some dissidents and other armed groups such as the ELN keep using anti-personnel mines to control land and people in remote regions of the country. 

Poison dart frogs 

About 800 amphibian species of different shapes and colors live in Colombia. Poison dart frogs are one of the main attractions to herpetologists and wildlife lovers.

These ones inhabit the tropical rainforest of Central and South America and, in Colombia, they can be found in the Biogeographic Choco region, along the Pacific coast.

Dart frogs are endangered because of the destruction of their habitat or exotic animals collectors. Fortunately, a reserve called Rana Terribilis Amphibian Reserve was created in Choco for the animal’s preservation. 

Dart frog (Dendrobatidae) at Risaralda

When you travel to this region, you should be cautious to avoid contact with dart frogs, cause their venom can be deathly. These little ones stand out for their bright colors, but this feature is actually a warning to predators and other animals to avoid attacking them (Read more about Aposematism here).

The Colombian Pacific region hosts one of the deadliest frogs in the world -the golden poison dart frog (Phyllobates terribilis). According to a report from ABC News, “the toxin on the frog’s skin is so powerful that even coming into contact with a paper towel that has touched it can kill a small animal”.

Although this 2-inch-long, yellow frog’s poison has to get into your bloodstream to be deadly, even handling it for seconds can cause numbness in the hands and arms. Get to know dart frogs of the genus Dendrobatidae with us in our Dart Frogs Tour in the Biogeographic Choco! 

Venomous snakes 

Snakes can be another risk to your health while you nature travel in Colombia. Out of the 270 snake species found in Colombia, the Colombian National Health Institute (INS) categorizes only 18% as poisonous and just 5 species as a risk for travelers.

The Bothrops asper or ‘cuatro narices’ in Spanish is a highly venomous pit viper that can measure up to 1.80 meters long and inhabits the inter-Andean valleys, Cauca department, the Caribbean coast and the Choco coastline.

Its venom destroys the human cellules, blood vessels and muscle tissues, which can be fatal. Other venomous snakes are the Bothrops atrox, found in the Amazon and Orinoco regions; the rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus) found in the dry Orinoco zones, the inter-Andean valleys, and the departments of Cesar and Huila; the Bothriopsis bilineata that lives in the Amazon rainforest; and the Lachesis acrochorda that can reach 4.5 meters long and lives in the Orinoco, Amazon, Magdalena Medio and Cauca.  

You should know that usually snakes do not attack humans for fun or without provocation. They bite as a defensive response to a stimulus that indicates a potential danger to them, for example, stepping on their body, getting very close, or surprising them with a sudden movement. 

Anti-personnel mines 

In 2019, 344 people were victims of the anti-personnel mines and other explosive devices throughout Colombia. Armed groups and FARC dissidents still have control over some zones of the country and use explosives to exercise control over the territory.

Of these victims, almost half were civilians and 44 people died. Most cases occurred in 12 departments: Antioquia, Arauca, Bolívar, Caquetá, Cauca, Chocó, Córdoba, Guaviare, Meta, Nariño, Putumayo and mainly Norte de Santander.

This is a worrying situation not only for locals but for tourists who embark on trips to remote destinations. The government has a mine clearance program that works to clear contaminated land and give the communities their peace back.

However, if you plan to travel to those departments it is important to do research beforehand and take extra precautions.  

 
References 
About the author

Ana María Parra

Current content writer for Sula. Modern Languages professional with emphasis on business translation. Interested in cultural adaptation of written and audiovisual content.  Passionate about knowing new cultures and languages, tourism and sustainable living.