Iraq

Archivo de datos del país

The information on these pages should be used to research health risks and to inform the pre-travel consultation. Travellers should check the Foreign Office travel advice page which provides information on travel entry requirements in addition to safety and security advice. Travellers should ideally arrange an appointment with their health professional at least four to six weeks before travel. However, even if time is short, an appointment is still worthwhile. This appointment provides an opportunity to assess health risks taking into account a number of factors including destination, medical history, and planned activities. For those with pre-existing health problems, an earlier appointment is recommended. All travellers should ensure they have adequate travel health insurance. A list of useful resources including advice on how to reduce the risk of certain health problems is available below.

Recursos

• Higiene de alimentos y agua

• Prevención de picaduras de insectos y garrapatas

• Seguridad personal

• Protección solar

Se proporcionan a continuación los detalles de las recomendaciones y requisitos de vacunación.

Todos los viajeros

Travellers should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK. These vaccinations include, for example, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine. Country-specific diphtheria recommendations are not provided here. Diphtheria tetanus and polio are combined in a single vaccine in the UK. Therefore, when a tetanus booster is recommended for travellers, diphtheria vaccine is also given. Should there be an outbreak of diphtheria in a country, diphtheria vaccination guidance will be provided. Those who may be at increased risk of an infectious disease due to their work, lifestyle choice, or certain underlying health problems should be up to date with additional recommended vaccines. See details on the selective immunisation programmes and additional vaccines for individuals with underlying medical conditions at the bottom of the 'Complete routine immunisation schedule' document and the individual chapters of the 'Green Book' Immunisation against infectious disease for further details.

Requisitos de certificado

No hay requisitos de certificados según el Reglamento Sanitario Internacional.

La mayoría de los viajeros

The vaccines in this section are recommended for most travellers visiting this country. Vaccines are listed alphabetically.

Hepatitis A

La hepatitis A es una infección viral transmitida a través de alimentos y agua contaminados o por contacto directo con una persona infectada. Los síntomas suelen ser leves o ausentes en niños pequeños, pero la enfermedad puede ser más grave con el avance de la edad. La recuperación puede variar de semanas a meses. Después de la infección por hepatitis A, la inmunidad es de por vida.

Prevención

Todos los viajeros deben tener cuidado con la higiene personal, de los alimentos y del agua.

Vacunación contra la Hepatitis A

Como la vacuna contra la hepatitis A es bien tolerada y ofrece una protección duradera, se recomienda para todos los viajeros que no hayan sido vacunados previamente.

Hepatitis A en resumen

Tétanos

Tetanus is caused by a toxin released from Clostridium tetani bacteria and occurs worldwide. Tetanus bacteria are present in soil and manure and may be introduced through open wounds such as a puncture wound, burn or scratch.

Prevención

Los viajeros deben limpiar a fondo todas las heridas y buscar atención médica para lesiones como mordeduras/arañazos de animales, quemaduras o heridas contaminadas con tierra.

Vacunación contra el tétanos

Travellers should have completed a tetanus vaccination course according to the UK schedule. If travelling to a country or area where medical facilities may be limited, a booster dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine is recommended if the last dose was more than ten years ago even if five doses of vaccine have been given previously. Country-specific information on medical facilities may be found in the 'health' section of the FCDO foreign travel advice pages.

Tétanos en resumen

Fiebre tifoidea

Typhoid is a bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated food and water. Previous typhoid illness may only partially protect against re-infection. Vaccination is recommended for most travellers, particularly travellers visiting friends and relatives, those in contact with an infected person, young children, frequent or long-stay travellers visiting areas where sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor, and laboratory personnel who may handle the bacteria for their work.

Prevención

Todos los viajeros deben tener cuidado con la higiene personal, de los alimentos y del agua.

Vacunación contra la fiebre tifoidea

Las vacunas contra la fiebre tifoidea, tanto orales como inyectables, están disponibles.

Fiebre tifoidea en resumen

Algunos viajeros

The vaccines in this section are recommended for some travellers visiting this country. Information on when these vaccines should be considered can be found by clicking on the arrow. Vaccines are listed alphabetically.

Colera

El cólera es una infección bacteriana transmitida por alimentos y agua contaminados. El cólera puede causar diarrea acuosa severa, aunque las infecciones leves son comunes. La mayoría de los viajeros tienen un riesgo bajo.

Prevención

Todos los viajeros deben tener cuidado con la higiene personal, de los alimentos y del agua.

Vacunación contra el cólera

This oral vaccine is recommended for those whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, including aid workers, those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to safe water and medical care, and those for whom vaccination is considered potentially beneficial.

Resumen del cólera

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection spread through blood, semen and vaginal fluids. This mostly occurs during sexual contact or as a result of blood-to-blood contact (for example from contaminated equipment during medical and dental procedures, tattooing or body piercing procedures, and sharing of intravenous needles). Mothers with the virus can also pass on the infection to their baby during childbirth. This country is considered to have an intermediate or high prevalence of hepatitis B.

Prevención

Travellers should avoid contact with blood or body fluids, including avoiding unprotected sexual intercourse, tattooing, piercing, public shaving, and acupuncture (unless sterile equipment is used), and not sharing needles or other injection equipment. Following universal precautions if working in a healthcare or other higher-risk setting is also advised. A sterile medical equipment kit may be helpful when travelling to resource-poor areas.

Vacunación contra la Hepatitis B

Vaccination could be considered for all travellers and is recommended for those whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, including those who may have unprotected sex, those who may be exposed to contaminated needles, and those who may be exposed to blood or body fluids through their work. Long-stay travellers and families adopting children from this country should also consider vaccination.

Hepatitis B en resumen

Rabia

Rabies is a viral infection which is usually transmitted following contact with the saliva of an infected animal most often via a bite, scratch or lick to an open wound or mucous membrane. Rabies symptoms can take some time to develop, but when they do, the condition is almost always fatal. The risk of exposure is increased by certain activities and length of stay. Children are at increased risk as they are less likely to avoid contact with animals and to report a bite, scratch or lick.

Rabies in Iraq

La rabia se considera un riesgo y se ha reportado en animales domésticos en este país. Los murciélagos también pueden portar virus similares a la rabia.

Prevención

Travellers should avoid contact with all animals. Rabies is preventable with prompt post-exposure treatment. Following a possible exposure, wounds should be thoroughly cleansed and an urgent local medical assessment sought, even if the wound appears trivial.

Vacunación contra la rabia

A full course of pre-exposure vaccines simplifies and shortens the course of post-exposure treatment and removes the need for rabies immunoglobulin which is in short supply worldwide. Pre-exposure vaccinations are recommended for travellers whose activities put them at increased risk, including those at risk due to their work and those travelling to areas where access to post-exposure treatment is limited.

Rabia en resumen

Tuberculosis

TB is a bacterial infection most commonly affecting the lungs but can affect any part of the body. When a person with TB in their lungs or throat coughs or sneezes they could pass TB on to other people. TB is curable but can be serious if not treated. The BCG vaccination helps to protect some people, particularly babies and young children who are at increased risk from TB.

Prevención

Travellers should avoid close contact with individuals known to have infectious pulmonary or laryngeal TB. Those at risk during their work should take appropriate infection control and prevention precautions.

Vacunación contra la tuberculosis (BCG)

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk of developing severe disease and/or of exposure to TB infection. For travellers, BCG vaccine is recommended for unvaccinated children under 16 years of age who are going to live for more than 3 months in this country.

Tuberculosis en resumen

Malaria is a serious illness caused by infection of red blood cells with a parasite called Plasmodium. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes which predominantly feed between dusk and dawn. Symptoms usually begin with a fever of 38°C (100°F) or more. Other symptoms may include feeling cold and shivery, headache, nausea, vomiting and aching muscles. Symptoms may appear between eight days and one year after the infected mosquito bite. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is required as people with malaria can deteriorate quickly.

Prevención

Los viajeros deben seguir una guía ABCD para prevenir la malaria:

• Awareness of the risk – Risk depends on the specific location, season of travel, length of stay, activities and type of accommodation.

• Bite prevention – Travellers should take mosquito bite avoidance measures.

• Chemoprophylaxis – Travellers should take antimalarials if appropriate for the area.

• Diagnosis – Travellers who develop a fever of 38°C (100°F) or higher more than one week after being in a malaria risk area, or who develop any symptoms suggestive of malaria within a year of return should seek immediate medical care.

Áreas de riesgo

There is a very low risk of malaria in the rural northern area of Iraq below 1,500m, from May to November: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended. There is no risk in the rest of Iraq.

Mapa de recomendaciones antimaláricas

There are no antimalarial drugs recommended for Iraq.

Recursos

• Malaria en resumen

• Hoja informativa sobre la malaria

• Prevención de picaduras de insectos y garrapatas

• Guías de prevención de la malaria para viajeros del Reino Unido

There are some risks that are relevant to all travellers regardless of destination, such as road traffic and other accidents, diseases transmitted by insects or ticks, and diseases transmitted by contaminated food and water. Some additional risks in this country are mentioned below.

Altitud

Existe un riesgo de mal de altura al viajar a destinos de 2,500 metros (8,200 pies) o más. Factores de riesgo importantes son la altitud alcanzada, la velocidad de ascenso y la altitud al dormir. Un ascenso rápido sin un período de aclimatación pone al viajero en mayor riesgo.

Altitude illness in Iraq

Hay un punto de elevación en este país superior a 2,500 metros.

Prevención

Travellers should spend a few days at an altitude below 3,000m. Where possible, avoid travel from altitudes less than 1,200m to altitudes greater than 3,500m in a single day. Ascent above 3,000m should be gradual. Travellers who develop symptoms of AMS should avoid further ascent.

Enfermedad de altitud en resumen

Insectos que pican o garrapatas

Las picaduras de insectos o garrapatas pueden causar irritación e infecciones en la piel en el lugar de la picadura. También pueden transmitir ciertas enfermedades.

Prevención

All travellers should avoid insect and tick bites day and night. There are no vaccinations to prevent these diseases.

Seasonal influenza

Seasonal influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract and spreads easily from person to person via respiratory droplets. Symptoms appear rapidly and include fever, muscle aches, headache, malaise, cough, sore throat and a runny nose. For those who do not fall into high-risk categories, vaccination may be available privately.

Prevención

Avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals, wash hands frequently, and practice ‘cough hygiene’. Vaccination is offered routinely each year to those at higher risk of severe disease following influenza infection.

Influenza in brief

Coronavirus del síndrome respiratorio de Oriente Medio

MERS-CoV is a viral infection spread by direct or indirect contact with infected camels or camel-related products. Symptoms include fever and cough that can progress to severe shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Prevención

All travellers, particularly those with chronic medical conditions, should practice good general health measures and avoid contact with camels.

MERS-CoV en resumen

Calidad del aire exterior

Poor air quality is a significant public health problem linked to many health issues. Current information on world air quality is available from the proyecto del índice mundial de calidad del aire.

Prevención

Travellers with health problems that might make them more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution should discuss their travel plans with their doctor.

Calidad del aire exterior en resumen

Esquistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection caused by larvae released from infected freshwater snails. There is a risk of schistosomiasis in this country.

Prevención

There is no vaccine or tablets to prevent schistosomiasis. All travellers should avoid wading, swimming, or bathing in fresh water.

Esquistosomiasis en resumen

Infecciones de transmisión sexual

STIs are a group of infections spread during sexual intercourse or by intimate contact. Risk is higher for travellers who engage in high-risk sexual behavior.

Prevención

Using condoms consistently and correctly with new or casual partners is the most effective way to reduce risk of STIs. Travellers should seek medical advice if they think they may have an STI.

STIs in brief

For further details on any of the above topics, consult your healthcare provider or the relevant health authorities.

Fuente y descargo de responsabilidad

Esta información sobre salud en viajes se basa en datos proporcionados por NaTHNaC (el Centro y Red Nacional de Salud para Viajes). Todos los derechos de propiedad intelectual sobre los datos son propiedad de NaTHNaC. No debe copiarse, reproducirse, distribuirse, modificarse ni ofrecerse para la venta sin el consentimiento previo por escrito de NaTHNaC.
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