There’s really no good reason to get bored while visiting Brazil.

The South American country is a hub for culture that also offers massive rainforests and almost unending beaches.

You can spend some time with the locals in busy Rio de Janeiro or have a relaxing getaway in Jericoacoara. Kayak along the Amazon or admire the beauty of Iguazu Falls.

The only downsides to all these attractions and climates is that they house various ways to catch a dangerous virus. Here’s a few tips to stay healthy during your trip to Brazil.

Which Vaccines Do I Need for Brazil?

Vaccination is the most reliable way to avoid disease when travelling. The Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization recommend these vaccines for a trip to Brazil:

• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Malaria
• Yellow Fever (if travelling from a country with the virus)
• Rabies
• Routine Vaccinations

For more information about each vaccine, check out the individual pages or contact Passport Health. Call us at to schedule an appointment or by booking online now.

Zika in Brazil

Although the disease has spread through Brazil for years, reports of Zika in the country were rampant leading up to the Rio Olympics in August.

Mosquito-borne diseases are nothing new to Brazil. Locals and tourists were dealing with the risk of malaria and yellow fever long before Zika was a problem.

But, research for a Zika vaccine is still in progress and Brazil is considered a high-risk location for the virus.

A vaccine is unlikely to finish all phases of testing before 2018. The best way to stay free of Zika is to repel the mosquitoes that are carrying the virus.

Insect repellents and mosquito nets are already recommended in Brazil due to the other mosquito-borne diseases. Cover your skin with long pants and sleeves in areas that are busy with the insects. Wear shoes whenever possible, as mosquitoes that prominently carry Zika, Aedes aegypti, are known to target feet.

Where Should I Go While Visiting Brazil?

As South America’s largest country and the fifth biggest in the world, Brazil has ample room for adventures.

The only issue is narrowing these choices down.

Brazilians embrace a vibrant and energetic lifestyle that stretches to their celebrations. And no Brazilian celebration is bigger than Carnival.

Rio is home to the biggest Carnival parties, with parades and concerts throughout the city. The city is welcoming to tourists during the five day party, allowing for a quick way to take in all the raucous Brazilian culture.

Ouro Preto is a much quieter option for those trying to get a taste of Brazilian history.

The former mining town is covered in centuries-old art that’s housed in extravagant buildings. Narrow alleys create a winding path to find the town’s many ancient landmarks.

With almost 7,500 kilometres of coastline, Brazil’s greatest feature may be its beaches.

Strong winds on Mole Beach attracts surfers and paragliders from around the world. It may take a journey to reach Lopes Mendes, but its beach is world-renowned for simplicity and beauty. And for those that just want to stay in Rio, Ipanema Beach brings the city’s lively culture to a mile-long stretch of sand.

Did we miss any must-see spots or health information for Brazil? Let us know in the comments, or via Facebook and Twitter.

You could be heading to South Africa for business.

Johannesburg is a bustling metropolis with an economy that attracts many for international business.

You could head to South Africa for a vacation.

Cape Town and Durban are some of the most popular vacation spots in the southern hemisphere. The coasts are lined with beaches and locals that immigrated from all over the world.

You could head to South Africa to see some wildlife.

Kruger National Park stretches across the north of the country, boasting over 150 different species.

It’s not that hard to find a reason to visit South Africa. Upon a trip to the African country, it also doesn’t take much effort to get sick. You can catch something from a mosquito or a local’s random cough. So, here’s some tips to stay healthy during a visit to South Africa.

[Read more…]

It may seem premature to worry about sunscreen during the winter.

Snow is falling and many people are bundled up in heavy clothing or staying indoors. This has led to a myth that sunscreen isn’t necessary during the winter.

But months of cold air doesn’t make the sun go away, along with its dangerous ultraviolet rays.

The cold temperature may actually cause some to increase sun exposure, while many are opting to protect themselves.

It may seem unnecessary to use sunscreen in the winter, but you’re no less exposed to dangerous rays.

[Read more…]

Whether it’s a sightseeing trip to the Taj Mahal or business dealings in Mumbai, India isn’t short on reasons for a visit. The world-renowned food, locals and landmarks make up a country that’s rich in culture.

Unfortunately, India is also wealthy in opportunities to get sick. Mosquito-borne diseases and foodborne bacteria are just some of the dangers in visiting the Asian country. Take a look at our tips to stay healthy during your trek to India.

Which Vaccines Do I Need For India?

The most reliable solution for avoiding a virus when travelling to India is with vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization recommend the following vaccines:

[Read more…]

The Zika virus and its terrifying legacy continue to build.

The epidemic can travel via mosquitoes, sexual contact and apparently even physical touch.

The one reprieve from Zika was on the horizon, with winter spelling doom for many mosquitoes.

The cold weather makes the insects either die off or hibernate until the spring. If the history of diseases like dengue fever and malaria taught us anything, cases of mosquito-borne diseases also plummet during this stretch.

But, even winter may not be able to stop Zika, as the virus is showing signs of surviving the cold weather.

[Read more…]

Unless you are superhuman or one of the X-Men mutants, you’ve been to the doctor with flu or cold-like symptoms.

“There’s a lot of that going around this season,” your doctor probably said at one point, sticking to the usual doctor’s script.

An antibiotic may not work, and there was no magic pill to make it go away. So your doctor sent you home with a few medications and instructions to drink lots of fluid and stay in bed.

Cold viruses are common, especially this time of year. Though hard to treat, they are generally easy to understand. Up until recently, viruses infected in much the same way. Even most of the less common and potentially more dangerous viruses work similarly.

But, recent findings show that viruses are evolving, which could make them much more difficult to treat.

[Read more…]

Want to trek halfway across the world to roam through foreign hostels?

How about climb a mountain days after seeing a cheetah in the wild?

Well, it’s likely too late in the year to make that trip. It seems like many other Canadians did though. Growing economies and adventure paradises topped the list of most visited places this year.

But it’s never too early to start planning for next year’s unforgettable trip. Here’s some of the most popular foreign places that Canadians visited in 2016:

[Read more…]

It seems we have smallpox to thank for freedom of the press and some other innovations.

In 1721, a smallpox epidemic swept through the streets of Boston – the worst in the city’s history. Fatality rates rose to as high as 30 percent or worse. Native American populations were hit even harder, with rates up to 90 percent. How could anything good come from such a devastating disease?

In his book, “The Fever of 1721,” Stephen Coss claims that the Boston smallpox epidemic actually played a major role in stopping the spread of the disease, starting America’s first independent newspaper, and preparing the way for the American Revolution.

[Read more…]

The Zika virus is active in over 60 countries around the world.

Many of the disease’s dangerous effects on pregnant women are well known.

The mosquito-borne disease spreads from a pregnant mother to her fetus. While Zika virus can cause many severe brain defects, the most common is microcephaly.

Microcephaly causes a stunted growth for the baby’s brain and in turn, a much smaller head. Although microcephaly does not guarantee birth defects, it can be the source of an intellectual disability, seizures and loss of hearing or vision.

There is still much to learn about Zika’s consequences for newborns. But, we’ve barely scratched the surface when it comes to the effect on toddlers.

[Read more…]

Flu season is upon us and you only have to find a time and place to get your vaccine.

But, those are no longer the only things to consider with your annual flu shot.

Over the last five years there has been a flurry of new vaccines, giving you choices on how you want to fight influenza.

You can go with a run of the mill vaccine, but will that cover all of this year’s flu strains? The new flu shot covers all the strains, but what if you really hate needles? What if you want to avoid the egg protein that’s used to make the vaccine?

[Read more…]