The Amazon rainforest is one of the most beautiful but dangerous place on earth. That is to be expected since it is home to the greatest bio-diversity on the planet. It would do good for visitors to be aware of the primary dangers and make adequate preparations before holidaying in the Amazon. In particular, here are nine mistakes that should be avoided at any cost.
Setting out on a holiday without proper vaccinations
The rain-forests of the Amazon are beautiful and rich no doubt. However, they are also repositories of many diseases, particularly measles, mumps, typhoid, tetanus, meningitis, rabies and yellow fever. All of these diseases have painful manifestations and some of them can even kill! And when one contracts it, the primitive medical facilities available in the Amazon are grossly insufficient. The past decade has seen the outbreak of dengue-like fevers in the region. So, it would be a serious error to set out on a holiday without a complete set of vaccinations.
Drinking and eating local stuff off the streets
While it is a good practice to enjoy the cuisine specialties of the particular place you are visiting, the Amazons can be made as an exception to the rule. Fodor’s Travel Guide cautions the visitor against eating the foods and stuff sold by street vendors in the Amazon. It is not as if they are more unhygienic compared to other street vendors. It is just that the strains of bacteria and other microbes in the Amazon are unique and thus result in upset stomachs and fevers that regular medicine is not able to treat. It would be a good idea to carry packaged food and bottled water. Avoid drinking tap water or using ice made from tap water at any cost.
Wearing minimal clothing to keep cool
The Amazon is definitely a hot and humid place. But unlike other such places, using minimal clothing is not a solution. The Amazon is home to a host of poisonous insects and other small creatures. Even some of the plants growing there are poisonous. It would be best to be completely covered, top to toe. Wear full sleeved shirts and cover your legs. Waterproof shoes with socks are a must. It would be a good idea to tuck your pants into the socks. Even before wearing your shoes, ensure that there are no insects or other creatures hiding within! It is advisable to make use of insect meshes with a mesh size less than 1.5 mm to further protect oneself from insects while sleeping or camping.
Going into the jungles without a guide
Being an explorer in the Amazon goes well as a movie theme but not when you are doing it in real life! The Amazon still has some places where nobody has ever ventured into. Many of the known places too are not completely discovered. Having a professional guide will ensure that you will not get lost in the jungles where there is almost no means of proper communication. It will also help you in keeping away from flora and fauna that could seriously harm you! Though the predatory animals keep away from humans, injuries from encounters could be fatal. The guide will help avoid such encounters.
Neglecting injuries
Small nicks, scratches and wounds are often neglected and left by themselves to heal. This strategy might prove disastrous in the Amazon where there is a lot of heat and humidity. The chances of spread of infection are very high. Also, some of the Amazon insect bites seem small and harmless but soon develop to dangerous conditions. So however small or insignificant your injury might seem, it is best to bring it to the attention of someone capable of administering medical help.
Not carrying repellents
The Amazon is not the place to go green and completely avoid the use of chemical creams and repellents. There are herbal repellents also available but it would be a good idea to carry a variety of insect repellents and creams in your kit. A large variety of insects have made a home of the Amazon. So, nobody who ever goes there returns without stings and bites. To keep injury and harm to the minimum, it would be advisable to apply repellents over all the exposed areas of the body. Fodor’s Travel Guide recommends the use of repellents that contain DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide).
Swimming and bathing in natural waters
This is a strong temptation that one must avoid. The ponds, lakes, streams, rivers and rivulets of the Amazon are often teeming with life which can be health hazards. As a rule, no water from any freshwater source must be used even for bathing before it has been heated at least to 150 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. This will ensure protection from schistosomiasis. Accidental exposure to such waters must be immediately toweled dry. However, it is safe to swim in any chlorinated swimming pool that you come across.
Carrying a standard medical kit
The special conditions of the Amazon demand some special and specific medication in your kit. Ensure that you carry sufficient amounts of antibiotics and anti-diarrheals. Ciprofloxacin, Rifaximin and Levofloxacin are recommended antibiotics. You should also have an adrenaline kit especially if you are allergic to insect bites and stings. This will go a long way in preventing anaphylactic shocks. Have one set of medications in your hand baggage and carry another set in your packed baggage as a back up.
Eating non-vegetarian food, especially fish
The fishes in this region are known to contain bio-toxins which are not destroyed even on cooking. Barracuda, amberjack, sea bass, grouper and snapper are some fishes that shuld never be consumed. Since it needs expertise to determine the edibility, the best idea would be to avoid eating fish and meat altogether. Even while eating meats, ensure that they are properly cooked.