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Paraguay

South America · Physician brief

📝Draft — pending physician review
📝Draft — pending physician review. This brief was compiled from CDC, WHO, and EKRM/HealthyTravel sources (June 2026) and has not yet been verified by a clinician. Confirm specifics with a travel-medicine professional before relying on it.

Yellow fever — certificate on entry from neighbouring countries

Paraguay requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers arriving from Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, or Venezuela. Travellers arriving directly from Switzerland are not subject to the entry requirement, but CDC recommends YF vaccination for most travellers to Paraguay other than those limiting their visit to Asunción. Allow ≥10 days between vaccination and travel.

Paraguayan health authorities / WHO IHR ↗ · Updated 2026

Malaria-free since 2018; dengue is the main mosquito risk

Paraguay was certified malaria-free by the WHO in 2018 — the first country in the Americas to achieve this in 45 years. Malaria chemoprophylaxis is not routinely needed. Dengue, by contrast, causes recurrent large epidemics; daytime mosquito-bite prevention is the priority.

WHO / PAHO ↗ · Updated 2026

Malaria

Low

Dengue

High

Yellow fever

Moderate

Chikungunya

Moderate

Vaccines

VaccineRecommendationReference
Routine vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip — per the Swiss BAG schedule. These include:

BAG Impfplan
Dengue

Qdenga is recommended only for travelers with a documented prior dengue infection who will be exposed during an outbreak or extended stay. Not for first-time visitors — primary infection after vaccination can be more severe.

—
Hepatitis A

Recommended for all travelers to Paraguay. Not part of the routine Swiss BAG childhood schedule, so most adult travelers will need vaccination. Two doses 6–12 months apart give long-term protection; a single dose covers the trip.

CDC Yellow Book
Hepatitis B

Consider for travelers who may receive medical or dental care, get tattoos or piercings, have new sexual contacts, or stay longer. Part of the routine Swiss childhood schedule since 2019 — most younger travelers are already protected.

CDC Yellow Book
Rabies

Pre-exposure recommended for long stays, cyclists, motorcyclists, hikers in remote areas, young children, animal workers, and cavers (bat exposure). Pre-exposure simplifies post-bite management — only 2 vaccine doses needed afterwards and no immunoglobulin.

CDC Yellow Book
Typhoid

Recommended for long-stay travelers, those visiting friends and relatives, off-the-beaten-track itineraries, and travelers with reduced gastric acidity. Less essential for short stays in tourist hubs.

CDC Yellow Book
Yellow fever

Recommended for most travelers to Paraguay; not needed for visits limited to Asunción. A single dose gives lifelong protection. Must be given ≥10 days before travel at an authorised Swiss YF centre. Live vaccine: contraindicated in immunosuppression and pregnancy; caution in adults >60 starting a primary series. Certificate required when arriving from Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, or Venezuela.

CDC Yellow Book

Disease-specific guidance

Malaria

Low

Paraguay was certified malaria-free by the WHO in 2018 and there is no ongoing local transmission relevant to travellers. Chemoprophylaxis is not routinely recommended. Historically, the limited risk had been in eastern rural departments (e.g. Alto Paraná, Caaguazú, Canindeyú); insect-bite precautions remain sensible for dengue regardless.

Status
WHO-certified malaria-free (2018)
Risk now
No ongoing transmission for travellers
Prophylaxis
Not routinely needed
Historic areas
Eastern rural depts (Alto Paraná, Caaguazú, Canindeyú)

Yellow fever

Moderate

Paraguay has had yellow fever activity historically, and CDC recommends vaccination for most travellers, excluding those who limit their visit to Asunción. A vaccination certificate is required when arriving from Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, or Venezuela.

Vaccine
Single dose, lifelong protection
Timing
≥10 days before travel
Recommended
Most travellers (not Asunción-only)
Not needed
Visits limited to Asunción
Entry rule
Certificate if arriving from Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela
Yellow fever vaccine recommendation areas in Paraguay (CDC).

Dengue

High

Dengue is endemic in Paraguay and causes recurrent large epidemics, with peaks in the hot rainy months (roughly December–May). Risk is present countrywide including Asunción. Daytime mosquito-bite prevention is the main protection for every traveler.

Distribution
Countrywide incl. Asunción
Vector
Aedes aegypti — daytime biter
Season
Peaks Dec–May; periodic large epidemics

Chikungunya

Moderate

Chikungunya circulates in Paraguay and shares the same daytime Aedes vector as dengue, so dengue prevention also protects against it. Joint pain can persist for months. CDC considers routine vaccination generally not recommended; it may be discussed for outbreak settings or extended stays (see EKRM statement).

Zika

Present

Zika is transmitted by daytime Aedes mosquitoes in Paraguay. Pregnancy and pre-conception planning are the key clinical concerns: pregnant women should avoid travel to Paraguay, and couples should use condoms during travel and for 3 months after return.

General prevention

Food & water

Standard food and water precautions, particularly outside Asunción and in rural areas. Use bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing teeth in rural regions. These precautions reduce traveler's diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid risk.

Mosquito protection

Mosquito-bite prevention is the central protection in Paraguay because dengue is common and can cause large epidemics, with Zika and chikungunya also present. The daytime-biting Aedes mosquito spreads all three, so day protection matters: DEET 30%+ or picaridin 20%, long sleeves, and screened or air-conditioned rooms. Malaria is no longer a practical concern for travellers (see below).

Sources

Based on CDC Travelers’ Health, CDC Yellow Book, and the Swiss Federal Vaccination Schedule (BAG). Always verify current recommendations before travel.

Visiting more than one country?

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This brief is for informational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.
Consult a travel medicine specialist 4–8 weeks before departure.