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Main messages

Infectious diseases

Immunisation

Ensure that all patients, especially children, are up-to-date with the UK immunisation schedule. See Immunisation collection with complete schedules.

Tuberculosis

There is a high incidence of TB in Venezuela (40 to 499 cases/100,000), so:

• screen all new entrants (including children) for TB according to
• refer to TB services promptly if screening is positive
• maintain long term vigilance for symptoms of TB even if initial screening is negative
• be aware that TB is a notifiable disease

Sexually transmitted infections and HIV

Take other risk factors into consideration when assessing likely health needs relating to HIV and STIs (no data are available on HIV prevalence in Venezuela).

Hepatitis B

Venezuela has a low prevalence of hepatitis B, so:

• offer screening for hepatitis B to all pregnant women during each pregnancy
• immunise appropriately babies born to mothers who are hepatitis B positive, and follow-up accordingly
• be aware that the UK has a universal infant immunisation programme for hepatitis B聽and a selective immunisation programme for higher risk groups

Hepatitis C

Venezuela has a higher prevalence of hepatitis C than the UK, so if other risk factors apply.

Travel plans and advice

Ask opportunistically about any travel plans the patient may have to visit friends and relatives in their country of origin, and see , or the Health Protection Scotland websites ( and , for travel advice.

Malaria

There is a high risk of malaria in Venezuela, mainly due to P. falciparum and P. vivax, so:

• who has travelled to-and-from in the last year
• remember that malaria can be rapidly fatal

Typhoid

There is a risk of typhoid infection in Venezuela, so:

• ensure that travellers to Venezuela are offered typhoid immunisation and advice on prevention of enteric fever
• remember enteric fever in the differential diagnosis of illness in patients with a recent history of travel to-or-from Venezuela

Helminths

There is a risk of helminth infections in Venezuela, including:

• schistosomiasis
• soil transmitted helminthiasis

Chagas

There is a risk of chronic Chagas disease in migrants from Venezuela, so:

• be alert for possible cases
• refer as appropriate

Women鈥檚 health

Reproductive health indicators

Reproductive health indicator	UK	Venezuela
Number of children per woman鹿	2	3

鹿lifetime average

No data are available on:

• contraceptive use
• mammography screening rates
• cervical cancer screening rates

Find out more about women鈥檚 health.

Nutritional and metabolic concerns

Anaemia

There is a moderate risk of anaemia in adults (estimated prevalence in non-pregnant women is 20 to 40%) and pre-school children (estimated prevalence is 20 to 40%), so:

• be alert to the possibility of anaemia in recently arrived migrants, particularly women and pre-school children
• test as clinically indicated

Vitamin D

Consider the possibility of vitamin D deficiency in people who may be at risk due to:

• covering their body for cultural or religious reasons (lack of sunlight)
• skin colour
• diet (vegan or vegetarian)

Iodine

People from Venezuela may be at risk of iodine induced hyperthyroidism due to excessive intake.

Country profile

Health indicators and health care

has a summary of health indicators and health care in Venezuela.

Culture, politics and history

and provide background information on the culture, politics and history of Venezuela.

Languages

The main languages used in Venezuela are:

• Spanish (official)
• numerous indigenous dialects

Source: .

Find out about language interpretation.

Religions

Religion	Population (%)
nominally Roman Catholic	96
Protestant	2
Other	2

Source: .

Migration to the UK

There were over 8,000 people from Venezuela living in England and Wales at the time of the 2011 Census.

Source: .