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Important Public Announcements

Warden Message: Yellow Fever

February 21, 2008

American citizens traveling to or living in Paraguay are advised that the Paraguayan Ministry of Health declared a national epidemiological alert on February 8, 2008 and President Duarte Frutos formally declared a national emergency on February 15 due to the outbreak of yellow fever.  

As of February 19, there are 66 suspected cases of yellow fever of which seven have been confirmed.  Due to the limited stock of vaccine available at this time, the government of Paraguay is prioritizing vaccinations in those communities and populations judged to be at the highest risk which are the Department of San Pedro and the town of San Lorenzo, near Asuncion.   

Below is a list of locations where vaccinations may be obtained free of charge in Asuncion and the Central Department (Departamento Central).  As with any vaccine, there may be adverse and serious side effects and it is recommended that you check with your personal physician before being vaccinated.  Please check with the institution directly for their hours of operation.  A follow-on e-mail from the Embassy will provide a list of other vaccination locations.

As of February 25, Yellow Fever vaccines are available from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm at the below health posts from Asunción and Departamento Central

  • Club Fomento de Barrio Obrero
  • Hospital Materno Infantil de Trinidad
  • Hospital Materno Infantil de San Pablo
  • Hospital de Loma Pyta
  • Hospital Regional de San Lorenzo
  • XVIII Región Sanitaria
  • Hospital Distrital de Lambaré
  • Colegio Nacional de Luque
  • Hospital Materno Infantil de Fernando de la Mora
  • Hospital Distrital de Capiatá
  • Hospital Pediátrico “Niños de Acosta Ñu”
  • Hospital Distrital de Limpio
  • Hospital de Mariano Roque Alonso
  • Hospital Nacional de Itaugua
  • Hospital Distrital de Ñemby
  • Hospital de Ypané
  • Centro de J. Augusto Saldívar
  • Hospital de Villa Elisa
  • Puesto de Salud de la calle Brasil esq. Fulgencio R. Moreno (former Emergencias Medicas building) behind the Health Ministry building

For more information about Paraguay’s Health Ministry and their programs please visit their web page at: http://www.mspbs.gov.py/index.php.

Please see below phone numbers for the Regional Hospitals of each Department:

  • R.S. Concecpción | 031 - 42 314
  • R.S. San Pedro | 042 22 - 23 92 / 4
  • R.S. Cordillera | 0511 - 42 700
  • R.S. Guaira | 0541 - 42 386
  • R.S. Caaguazu | 0521 - 202 166
  • R.S. Caazapa | 054 223 - 2401 / 2077
  • R.S. Itapua | 071 - 203 076 / 206 035
  • R.S. Misiones | 08121 - 23 54 / 29 20
  • R.S. Paraguari | 0531 - 32 218 / 32 233
  • R.S. Alto Parana | 061 - 506 588
  • R.S. Central | 523-796 / 525-211
  • R.S. Ñeembucu | 086 - 30 397 / 30 723
  • R.S. Amambay | 036 - 72 972
  • R.S. Canindeyu | 04624 - 24 61
  • R.S. Villa Hayes | 02626 - 23 64
  • R.S. Alto Paraguay | 021 - 451 287
  • R.S. Boqueron | 0494 - 247 334
  • R.S. Capital | 206-160 / 204- 758

For anyone who will be visiting one of the above locations for vaccinations, please be aware that the wait can be quite long in crowded areas.  Frequent skirmishes have occurred among those waiting for vaccinations.   Personal security precautions should be used if waiting in these areas.  Demonstrations and roadblocks should be avoided.

For more information on vaccinations and other health precautions please visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov/travel, telephone 1-877-394-8747.  For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en.  Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.

Americans living or traveling in Paraguay are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Asuncion, Paraguay, through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.

U.S. Embassy Asuncion contact information:

Updated information on travel in Paraguay may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or from overseas, 1-202-501-4444.  For further information please consult the Country Specific Information for Paraguay available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. Please also see the current Worldwide Caution.

Tips for basic mosquito control

Since the yellow fever virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes, the Embassy would like to reinforce the basics for mosquito control in homes and yards. 

  • Empty containers, old tires, and empty bottles that may trap stagnant water where breeding occurs.
  • Use mosquito repellent.
  • Be sure your door and window seals fit tightly, and screens are in good condition.
  • Keep your house cool with air conditioners and circulate the air with ceiling fans.

The Health Unit of the Embassy recommends giving a quick shot of MAPEX yellow label aerosol insecticide in closets, bathrooms and under beds each day. This is one action you can take daily to decrease the amount of mosquitoes in your home.  Mapex yellow label aerosol is safe if used in accordance with label instructions. Avoid breathing concentrated vapors.