Peru has not been included into the World Health Organization (WHO) Zika high-risk countries List; thus, the virus should not have a negative impact on inbound tourism, Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Magali Silva indicated
"Thank God, Peru has not been declared one of the high-risk countries, but we continue launching prevention and collaboration campaigns [...]," she affirmed.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito —main Zika, dengue fever and chikungunya disease transmitter— does not live at heights above 2,200 meters, which guarantees tourism activities can be carried out in many Peruvian regions.
"Thus, it means areas located in the Southern [Andean] part of the country, such as Cusco, Puno and Arequipa could be an adequate alternative for safe trips […]," she said.
The said areas always welcome greater flow of foreign tourists, who can travel safely. However, protocols were completely activated.
"Such an active Health Ministry had never been seen before,” she highlighted.
“We, Peruvians, were already well-trained because we went through dengue fever and chikungunya disease. Therefore, we were involved in the process of adjusting our immediate-assistance protocols within the framework of El Nino Phenomenon," she expressed.
(END) CNA/AVV/MVB