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HPA Home > Migrant Health Guide > Countries A-Z > South America and South Atlantic Islands > Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) > Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) infectious diseases
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Venezuela infectious diseases

Key messages for primary care practitioners

  • This country has a low prevalence of hepatitis B. Ascertain any risk factors for HBV infection that may indicate the need for screening.
  • There is a high risk of malaria in some areas of this country.
  • There is a risk of typhoid infection in this country.
  • There is a risk of chronic Chagas disease in migrants from this country. Primary care practitioners should be alert for possible cases and refer as appropriate.
  • Ensure all patients are up to date with the UK immunisation schedule.
  • Ask opportunistically about any travel plans that the patient may have to visit friends and relatives in their country of origin and arrange for appropriate travel advice - see NaTHNaC [external link]. 
  • For information about specific infectious diseases please see health topics.
     

TB

  • There is a low incidence of TB in this country (less than 40 cases/100,000).
  • Routine screening is not required but testing should be considered in patients who show signs and symptoms of TB.
  • TB is a notifiable disease.
  • Please see TB page for further information.

HIV and sexually transmitted infections

  • No data are available on HIV prevalence in this country.
  • Please take other risk factors into consideration when assessing likely health needs in this area.
  • Please see HIV and STI pages for further information.

Hepatitis B

  • This country has a low prevalence of hepatitis B.
  • All pregnant women should be offered screening for hepatitis B infection during each pregnancy.
  • Babies born to mothers who are hepatitis B positive should be appropriately immunised and followed-up accordingly.
  • The UK has a selective immunisation programme for hepatitis B; please see the Immunisation against Infectious Disease (Green Book) [external link] for further guidance.
  • Please see hepatitis B page for further information.

Hepatitis C

  • This country has a higher prevalence of hepatitis C than the UK. 
  • Consider screening for hepatitis C if other risk factors apply.
  • Please see hepatitis C page for further information.

Malaria

  • There is a high risk of malaria in some areas of this country due to P. falciparum and P. vivax.
  • Information on which areas of this country are affected is available from NaTHNaC [external link].
  • Any unwell patient with a history of arrival from or a visit to affected areas of this country in the last year must be tested for malaria. 
  • For travellers returning to this country (e.g. to visit friends and relatives), provide appropriate travel advice as recommended by NaTHNaC [external link] for this country.
  • Please see malaria page for further information.

Enteric fever

  • There is a risk of typhoid infection in this country.
  • Ensure that travellers to this country are offered typhoid immunisation and advice on prevention of enteric fevers.
  • Remember enteric fever in the differential diagnosis of illness in patients with a recent history of travel to or from this country.
  • Please see enteric fever page for further information.

Helminths

  • There is a risk of helminth infections including schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiasis in this country.
  • Please see helminths page for further information.

Chagas disease

  • There is a risk of chronic Chagas disease in migrants from this country.
  • Primary care practitioners should be alert for possible cases and refer as appropriate.
  • Please see Chagas disease page for further information.
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