March 2013
Consult a doctor, nurse or health care provider, or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel.
Be sure that your routine vaccines are up-to-date regardless of your travel destination.
You may be at risk for these vaccine-preventable diseases while travelling in this country. Talk to your travel health provider about which ones are right for you.
Hepatitis A
is a disease of the liver spread by contaminated food or water. All those travelling to regions with a risk of hepatitis A infection should get vaccinated.
Hepatitis B
is a disease of the liver spread through blood or other bodily fluids. Travellers who may be exposed (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment or occupational exposure) should get vaccinated.
Seasonal influenza
occurs worldwide. The flu season usually runs from November to April in the northern hemisphere, between April and October in the southern hemisphere and year round in the tropics. Influenza (flu) is caused by a virus spread from person to person when they cough or sneeze or through personal contact with unwashed hands. Get the flu shot.
Measles occurs worldwide but is a common disease in developing countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia. Measles
is a highly contagious disease. Be sure your vaccination against measles is up-to-date regardless of the travel destination.
Rabies
is a disease that attacks the central nervous system spread to humans through a bite, scratch or lick from a rabid animal. Vaccination should be considered for travellers going to areas where rabies exists and who have a high risk of exposure (i.e., close contact with animals, occupational risk, and children).
Typhoid
is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among travellers going to rural areas, visiting friends and relatives, or with weakened immune systems. Travellers visiting regions with typhoid risk, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation should consider getting vaccinated.
Yellow fever is a disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito.
Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.
| * It is important to note that country entry requirements | |
| Risk |
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| Country Entry Requirement* |
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| Recommendation |
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Travellers to any destination in the world can develop travellers' diarrhea
from consuming contaminated water or food.
In some areas in Central America and Mexico, food and water can also carry diseases like cholera
, hepatitis A
and typhoid
. Practise safe food and water precautions
while travelling in Central America and Mexico. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
In some areas in Central America and Mexico, certain insects carry and spread diseases like American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), dengue fever
, leishmaniasis
, malaria
, onchocerciasis (river blindness), and West Nile virus.
Travellers are advised to take precautions against bites
.
Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats. Some infections found in Central America and Mexico, like rabies
, can be shared between humans and animals.
Crowded conditions can increase your risk of certain illnesses. Remember to wash your hands often and practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette to avoid colds, the flu
and other illnesses.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV
are spread through blood and bodily fluids; practise safer sex.
The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.
Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit
, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.
For information outlining safety and security considerations, visit Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada's country travel advice and warnings
.
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