Though your chances of contracting any of the following diseases are very low, they are sufficiently serious that you should be aware of their existence and of measures you should take to avoid infection. For up-to-date information on current health risks in Argentina check the websites www.medicineplanet.com and www.cdc.gov .

Chagas' disease is transmitted by a micro scopic parasite, the Trypanosome cruzi , transported by a small beetle, the vinchuca or chinche gaucha. The parasite-bearing beetle bites its "victim" and then defecates next to the wound - and scratching of the bite thus causes the parasite to be borne into the bloodstream. The immediate symptoms - a fever, a hard swelling on the skin and occassionally around the eyes - last two to three weeks, are mild and may even be imperceptible; but the disease is treatable at this stage. In around twenty percent of untreated cases, however, potentially fatal cardiac problems caused by a gross enlargement of the heart can appear twenty or thirty years later, with no other symptoms suffered in between. Though it can be extremely serious, the disease isn't widespread and travellers should be aware of, but not unduly worried about, catching it. Contact is most likely to occur in poorer rural regions, particularly in dwellings with adobe walls. Where possible you should avoid camping in such areas and if you do sleep in an adobe hut, you should use a mosquito net and sling your hammock as far away from the walls as possible. If you suspect you have been bitten by a vinchuca you must avoid scratching the wound; bathe it with alcohol instead and get a blood test as soon as possible.

Cholera outbreaks are very rare, but there have been sporadic cases in the Northwest. If travelling in an area where there is an outbreak, you should exercise extreme caution with food, particularly shellfish (though this is pretty rare, anyway, in the main areas concerned) and drinking water. There is an immunization for cholera, but it's so ineffective as to be considered worthless by the World Health Organization.

Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. The symptoms are a high fever, headache, and eye and muscular pain; it can be very debilitating but is rarely fatal except in the rare haemorrhagic strain. Dengue fever occurs in urban areas in the north of Argentina; there are regular public health campaigns aimed at avoiding outbreaks, principally by making sure that stagnant water cannot collect. There is no vaccination against dengue fever, though the disease is treatable, and the best way to avoid the slim chance of infection is by covering up during the day (unlike malarial mosquitoes, the dengue mosquito bites during the day) and using mosquito repellent.

Hantavirus is a rare, incurable viral disease transmitted by long-tailed wild mice. It is present throughout the Americas (though not in the far south of Patagonia) and produces haemorrhagic fever and severe respiratory problems caused by the accumulation of liquid in the lungs. Initial symptoms are similar to influenza - with fever, headache, stomachache and muscle pain - and the fatality rate is around fifty percent. The virus is present in the excrement, urine and saliva of the mouse and is transmitted to humans through breathing in contaminated air, consuming contaminated food or water, or by being bitten by or handling a virus-bearing mouse. It cannot survive sunlight, detergent or disinfectant and the best way to avoid contamination is by being scrupulously clean when camping, particularly in rural areas. Recommended precautions are using tents with a proper floor, good fastenings and no holes; keeping food in sealed containers and out of reach of mice (hanging a knotted carrier bag from a tree is a standard precaution) and cleaning up properly after eating. If staying in a cabaña which looks as though it hasn't been used for a while, let the place ventilate for a good thirty minutes before checking (while covering your mouth and nose with a handkerchief) for signs of mouse excrement. If any is found, all surfaces should be disinfected then swept and aired. Despite the severity of hantavirus, you should not be unduly worried about the disease. In the unlikely case that there is an outbreak in the area you are visiting you will be well-informed by the local authorities of the virus's presence.

HIV and Aids cases have been climbing steadily in Argentina over recent years; latest figures estimate that around two percent of the adult population between 15 and 49 years carry the HIV virus. Some of the condoms sold in Argentina are of pretty poor quality, so it's wise to bring a reliable brand with you from home.

Malaria is a minor risk in Argentina and confined to low-lying areas of Salta and Jujuy provinces (Iruya, San Martín, Santa Victoria, Ledesma, San Pedro and Santa Bárbara), and the northern borders of Corrientes and Misiones (though not Iguazú) from October to May. Though the risk is low, it's certainly worth taking anti-malarial precautions if you are visiting this region. Fortunately, resistance to the standard anti-malarial drug Chloroquine has not yet been reported so you will not have to weigh up the pros and cons of taking the controversial drug Mefloquine. As with dengue fever, you should also guard against mosquito bites by covering up after dusk, using insect repellent and, where possible, mosquito nets and anti-mosquito coils or plug-ins, both of which are widely available in Argentina and often provided in hotel rooms.

Rabies is present throughout Argentina and if you are spending a long time travelling away from population centres or are likely to come into contact with wild animals, it's worth considering getting vaccinated before you go. The vaccine doesn't make you immune to the disease but it does buy you more time if you are bitten - in which case you will still need to receive a second vaccination.

Yellow fever is a very serious mosquito-borne viral disease which occurs in subtropical and tropical forested regions, particularly where there are monkeys. It's a very minor risk in the northeast of Argentina, but it is a wise precaution to invest in a ten-year vaccine for longer trips - and essential if you are travelling elsewhere in Latin America.