Well on Your Way - A Canadian’s Guide to Healthy Travel Abroad

Contents

Well on Your Way - A Canadian's Guide to Healthy Travel Abroad

Introduction

The Government of Canada has developed this booklet to help you protect your health while travelling or living abroad. It includes essential information on understanding travel health risks; taking preventive measures before, during and after your travel; coping with a health emergency abroad; and accessing consular services in a health emergency.

We encourage you to take steps to reduce your risk of illness and accidents while abroad. With a little knowledge and preparation, you can protect yourself against many common and preventable travel-related illnesses.

Going abroad?

Be Prepared. Expect the Unexpected! Connect with the world and access travel advice for more than 200 destinations. Wherever you go, wherever you are, visit Travel advice and advisories or consult with us by telephone (1-800-267-6788 or 613-944-6788), TTY (1-800-394-3472) or email (travel@international.gc.ca).

Know before you go

Standards of safety, hygiene and medical care in other countries may differ from those in Canada. These differences can seriously affect your health and your ability to access medical help while abroad.

Before departure, you should learn about the health risks in the country or countries you plan to visit, your own risk of disease and the steps you can take to prevent illness and injury. If you feel ill, consider delaying your departure. Health, security and avoiding injury are your responsibilities and should be considered before, during and after travelling abroad.

Protecting the health of Canadian travellers

Travel.gc.ca, the Government of Canada’s website for Canadians travelling and living abroad, provides information to help you stay healthy in other countries, including:

Before you go

Individual pre-travel health assessment

Your risk of becoming sick or injured while abroad depends on a number of factors, including:

Based on these factors, a health care provider can assess your needs and help you prevent illness and injury by providing:

Read up, Register, Reach us

The Government of Canada encourages Canadians to follow the Three Rs of international travel:

Where to get travel health advice

Consult with a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic for an individual pre-travel health assessment, preferably six weeks before travelling abroad. Some vaccines require more than one dose and some can’t be given at the same time as others. When booking your appointment, allow for delays, as busy travel health clinics may not be able to see you right away. Also, if available, bring along a copy of your immunization record (history of the vaccinations you’ve received) to your appointment. For more information, see Immunization and malaria prevention.

Invest in your health

It’s always wise to invest in protecting your health before venturing abroad. Individual pre-travel health assessments and travel vaccinations may not be covered by provincial health plans. Fees for these services should be part of your travel budget.

If you’re not feeling well before your departure, especially if you have a fever, consult a health care provider to discuss whether you should postpone your trip. Doing so could help you avoid a possible health emergency abroad or spreading disease to others. Trip cancellation insurance is widely available and should be purchased when booking your trip in case unexpected circumstances prevent you from travelling.

Travel Health Notices

The Public Health Agency of Canada seeks to identify health issues that may affect the health of Canadians travelling and living abroad. These health issues could include a current, emerging or changing pattern of disease or illness in a destination or an event that may have an impact on the health of travellers, such as a mass gathering or an environmental disaster.

When necessary, the Agency releases Travel Health Notices outlining potential risks to Canadian travellers and recommending measures to help reduce those risks.

Obtain travel health insurance

Don’t rely on your provincial or territorial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad. Provincial and territorial health plans don’t always cover out-of-country travel. They may cover only part of the bill, and will not pay up front. A medical evacuation could cost more than $50,000, so it’s best to make sure you have travel health insurance to cover unexpected expenses. For more information, contact your provincial/territorial health authority.

Purchase the best private travel health insurance you can afford, even if you’re taking a day trip to the United States. It’s your responsibility to obtain and understand the terms of your travel health insurance policy. Your credit card company may offer health and travel insurance, but don’t assume that coverage is automatically included or that the card alone provides adequate coverage. Some companies charge an additional premium for travel coverage. Others require that you use their card to pay for your travel arrangements. Verify the conditions, limitations and requirements before departure.

Ask your health care provider to fill in the portion of the insurance questionnaire on pre-existing conditions to avoid future problems. For example, you may have a pre-existing condition, such as borderline diabetes or high blood pressure, that doesn’t require you to take medication at this time. If you fail to indicate all pre-existing conditions on the form and then need the coverage while abroad, the insurance company may refuse to pay your medical bills.

Always carry proof of your insurance coverage when travelling. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative at home or your travel companion how to contact your insurer.

If you receive medical care while travelling, get a detailed invoice from the health care provider or hospital before you leave the country, as it may be difficult to get the proper paperwork from thousands of kilometres away. Most insurance companies won’t accept copies or faxes of receipts, but you should keep copies for your own files.

You may also want to purchase a travel insurance package that includes flight cancellation, trip interruption and/or lost luggage coverage. Doing so can prevent major disruptions and additional costs.

What to look for…

When assessing a travel health insurance plan, ask if it:

Did you know...?

Vaccination means receiving a vaccine, usually through an injection, in order to be protected against a disease.

Immunization means the process of becoming immune (protected) against a disease, usually through vaccination. For some diseases, you can also become immune if you have had the disease and recovered from it.

Immunization and malaria prevention

When travelling abroad, you may be at risk for a number of illnesses that can be prevented by vaccination. As you age, the protection you received against many illnesses through vaccination may decrease or your risk for getting certain diseases may increase. Your pre-travel health assessment provides an opportunity to review your immunization history, get you up-to-date according to your provincial/territorial immunization program and assess your needs based on your individual health, where you plan to travel and what you plan to do. Additional vaccines may be recommended depending on your age, expected travel activities and local conditions. Remember that preventing disease through vaccination is a lifelong process.

Recommended vaccinations

The following is an alphabetical list of diseases against which vaccination may be recommended prior to travel:

  • chicken pox
  • cholera
  • diphtheria
  • German measles (rubella)
  • flu (influenza)
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b disease (Hib)
  • hepatitis A
  • hepatitis B
  • human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Japanese encephalitis
  • measles
  • meningococcal disease
  • mumps
  • pneumococcal disease
  • polio
  • rabies
  • tetanus
  • tick-borne encephalitis
  • typhoid fever
  • whooping cough (pertussis)
  • yellow fever

Required vaccinations

Before entering some countries, you may be required to have an International Certificate of Vaccination, or Prophylaxis, showing that you’ve received a yellow fever vaccination in the past 10 years. Other countries may require proof of yellow fever vaccination if you’ve passed through an area where yellow fever may occur. Without such proof, you may be refused entry, quarantined or vaccinated. In Canada, yellow fever vaccination is only given at designated yellow fever vaccination centres. A list of these centres is available.

Other countries may require additional vaccinations. Before you leave Canada, it’s best to consult with the embassy or consulate of your destination country for up-to-date information on entry and exit requirements.

Immunization records

Keep your family’s immunization records in a safe and accessible place and carry copies when you travel. However, if your destination country requires proof of yellow fever vaccination, you must carry the original International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. Keep a copy of this certificate at home.

Malaria prevention

Malaria is a common and serious infection in many tropical and subtropical countries, and it can be fatal. There is no vaccine available against malaria. When travelling to an area where malaria occurs, you should always protect yourself against mosquito bites and take anti-malarial medication, if recommended by a health care professional.

Anti-malarial medication decreases your risk but doesn’t provide 100 percent protection against the disease. The medication must be taken before, during and after travel. Consult a health care provider or travel health clinic for an individual health assessment, preferably six weeks before you travel, to determine your need for anti-malarial medication. See Insect- and tick-borne diseases for recommendations on how to protect yourself from insect bites.

Some medications available in other countries may cause allergic reactions. They may be counterfeit and may not contain any actual medication. Medication available in other countries may also have been removed from the market in Canada because of toxicity or other concerns about its safety or effectiveness.

Travelling with prescription drugs

When travelling outside Canada with prescription drugs, you should carry a note of explanation from your health care provider to avoid problems with customs officials. Requirements vary from country to country and may also include:

You’ll also need this information if your medication is lost or stolen.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, having the prescription with you will make it easier to replace them if needed.

Essential medication should be carried in two different pieces of hand luggage in case one gets lost or stolen. Pack an extra supply of medication in case you’re away longer than expected. Don’t stop taking medication (for blood pressure, depression, etc.) or decrease the dosage during a trip because you suddenly feel better.

Some over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements and herbal and homeopathic products used in Canada are illegal for import and use in other countries or may require a prescription. Contact the embassy or consulate of your destination country before departure to make sure both your prescribed drugs and any over-the-counter medication you intend to bring into the country are allowed.

If your medication requires needles and syringes, carry an explanation from your health care provider or a medical certificate with you. In some countries, a traveller carrying needles and syringes without an adequate explanation could face arrest, detention or other consequences. Since security screening regulations change frequently without warning and differ from country to country, it’s best to contact the embassy or consulate of your destination country in Canada before travelling to check regulations and to allow enough time to get the proper documentation. A list of foreign embassies and consulates accredited to Canada is available.

Needles and syringes may be difficult to purchase abroad, so take enough to last your entire trip. Before packing needles and syringes in carry-on luggage, check your airline’s regulations and consult What you can bring on a plane.

Always carry with you a list of your medications, including the dosage and your reason for taking them, any allergies you have, your blood type and the name of an emergency contact person. Also, include the contact information of your regular health care provider (e.g. family physician). If you end up in hospital while travelling, this information will be the first thing health care providers will need. You may want to consider using MedicAlert®.

Medications should be listed under their generic names so that they’re recognizable to health care providers in other countries, where the drugs may be sold under different brand names. Depending on the nature of your pre-existing condition, your health care provider may recommend that you carry additional documentation – such as copies of your latest electrocardiogram (EKG) or of your lab, X-ray or ultrasound reports – to assist health care providers in the event you experience a health problem abroad.

Consult Travelling with medication for more information.

Travelling with a pre-existing medical condition

If you have a chronic medical condition, carry a letter from your health care provider outlining your situation and required medications. Find out if there are health care providers who speak your language in the area you’ll be visiting. Canadian consular officials can provide an up-to-date list of local registered physicians and health care facilities in your destination country.

If you have medical needs that will require attention abroad, call each hotel or resort you’ll be visiting to discuss arrangements in advance. Be sure to bring any medical supplies you may need. Discuss all your travel plans in advance with a health care provider or travel health clinic.

Once you enter the departure screening area at an airport, tell the screening officers about any medical implants, artificial limbs or mobility aids you have that may be affected by the metal detection equipment.

If you’re disabled and will be travelling outside North America, visit the Disabled People’s International website for information about accessibility in the country you’ll be visiting. For more information on international travel for disabled persons, see Travelling with disabilities.

Older travellers

Many travellers over the age of 60 are in excellent health and are at little increased health risk when travelling. However, some may have pre-existing health conditions that could worsen during travel.

Changes in environmental conditions (e.g. heat, altitude, humidity), activity levels, living conditions, diet and time zones, and jet lag may be harder on you as you age, particularly if you have a chronic illness. You may also be at greater risk for such problems as dehydration, infectious diseases and injuries. How well you respond to vaccinations may depend on your age and medical history. It’s important to discuss with a pharmacist or health care provider whether your activities, travel-related vaccinations or preventive drugs will interact with any of your regular medications and create a problem.

Falls are the leading cause of injury among older travellers. If you have limited mobility or impaired balance, you might consider using a walking aid (e.g. a cane or walker) to prevent falls.

Older travellers should be especially mindful of the effects of heat. Be sure to drink plenty of water during hot weather. If you’re planning a holiday involving hiking or walking, make sure you’re physically prepared for the effort. A suitable exercise program to prepare your body should be discussed with your health care provider and practised at least a few weeks before leaving.

If you’re an older traveller, you should discuss the details of your trip – destination, length of stay and planned activities – with your health care provider or a travel health clinic well before departure. Ask about your need for flu (influenza) and pneumococcal vaccines, especially for trips where you’ll be in large crowds (e.g. if you’re going on a cruise or an organized trip). We strongly recommend that you purchase adequate travel health insurance.

For more information, see Older travellers.

Travel health kit

Pack a travel health kit so that first aid supplies and medications will be readily available in an emergency. Keep in mind that over-the-counter drugs for sale in Canada aren’t always easy to find in other countries. A travel health kit should contain enough supplies to handle minor injuries and illnesses (e.g. headaches, diarrhea and allergies) and manage pre-existing medical conditions. For details, see Travel health kit.

Travelling while pregnant

If you’re pregnant, visit your health care provider or travel health clinic, preferably six weeks before going abroad, especially if travelling by air. You may be at higher risk of certain conditions or suffer added complications from disease. For instance, pregnant women have an increased risk of blood clots. When flying, request an aisle seat and try to stand up, walk around or stretch your legs regularly.

You should check the airline’s rules for pregnant passengers before booking your ticket. In Canada, most airlines will allow you to fly up to the 36th week of pregnancy, provided you’re healthy and have no history of premature labour. Different rules may apply in other countries, and you could be asked to supply a letter from your health care provider confirming the stage of your pregnancy. Also, be sure to review your travel health insurance policy and the coverage it provides. Most policies don’t automatically cover pregnancy-related conditions or hospital care for premature infants.

For more information, see Travelling while pregnant and the booklet Her own way: a woman’s safe-travel guide.

Travelling with infants and children

Travelling with infants and children can be fun and rewarding. Whether heading south for a week, visiting friends or relatives in another country or embarking on an adventure tour, be aware that children can become ill very quickly and may be a challenge to care for while travelling.

You must consider specific and sometimes complex issues when planning a trip for your family. For instance:

Make sure you arrange a pre-travel health assessment for the children travelling with you, preferably six weeks before departure, to ensure that their specific needs are addressed.

Be prepared to deal with your children’s minor health problems yourself and know what to do and where to go in case of a more serious illness. Remember to bring the following:

When travelling by air or by car, use an approved child safety seat. Carry a bottle or pacifier to make a young child more comfortable and to equalize ear pressure when flying. For more information, consult Tips for healthy travel with children.

Travelling to your country of origin

Many foreign-born Canadians make trips to their country of origin to visit friends and relatives. These travellers, and especially their children, may be more vulnerable to preventable diseases than tourists because they tend to expose themselves to the same health risks as the local population.

If you and your family plan to travel to your country of origin, remember these facts:

Just because you once lived in your country of origin and are familiar with the culture and customs, don’t assume that you’re safe from health risks. For instance, extended stays in rural locations may carry greater risks. While staying with family or friends, you may be exposed to untreated water and undercooked food or you may stay in accommodations without air conditioning, window screens or bed nets. Therefore, you must take precautions to protect yourself and your family. For recommendations, see Individual pre-travel health assessment.

Travelling abroad to seek medical care and alternative therapies

More Canadians are travelling abroad for health care and treatment, ranging from therapeutic baths to cosmetic surgery to organ transplants. No matter the reason, if you’re a “medical tourist” you should understand that health systems outside Canada may operate very differently from what you’re accustomed to and may not be subject to the same rules and regulations. For instance, therapies considered “natural” are not necessarily safe; mineral and “holy” waters may also be sources of infectious diseases. Hospital and health care services may not meet Canadian standards.

It’s your responsibility to research the standards of the health care facility and the licensing of the health care provider in your destination country. Find out how the medical services and facilities are accredited and how they are regulated. Verify the licensing of the facility or health care professional and review any complaints, comments, reports and evaluations. Even if you research the facility and staff thoroughly, there’s no guarantee that your experience will match your expectations.

Before making a commitment to undergo medical treatment outside Canada, consult your health care provider or a travel health clinic. In addition to discussing your travel health-related risks, your health care provider will know your history and the procedure you’re travelling to obtain and can advise you accordingly.

Be aware of potential problems and risks. For instance:

For more information, see Receiving medical care in other countries or consult the “Health” section of the Travel Advice and Advisories for country-specific information on medical services and facilities.

Cruises

Cruise ships are among the safest forms of transportation and usually offer the services of an on-board health care provider.

However, health risks can increase depending on the activities you engage in at the ship’s ports of call. Once ashore, take precautions about what you eat and drink. The safest option is to take the land excursions offered by your ship. Otherwise, if problems occur and you end up in hospital, the cruise ship won’t necessarily take care of you and may even leave without you.

Seasickness or motion sickness affects some cruise passengers. Your health care provider or travel health clinic can discuss options to reduce the symptoms.

Outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as the flu or gastrointestinal illnesses with diarrhea and vomiting, can occur on cruise ships due to the close contact among passengers. Vaccination is the best form of protection against the flu. Another important way to protect yourself from getting sick or spreading germs, whether aboard ship or ashore, is to wash your hands well and frequently.

See the safe-travel publication Advice for cruise travellers for additional tips to ensure your well-being during a cruise.

Business travel

Working in a foreign environment, often under time constraints, can make for a stress-filled stay, putting you at greater risk for illness. If you travel frequently, it’s wise to arrange for regular medical check-ups and a pre-travel health assessment before your next assignment. If you intend to take a side trip, make sure that your pre-travel health assessment takes this into consideration.

Mental health and travel

International travel can suddenly uproot you from familiar surroundings, which can lead to mental and physical stress. Travel can also intensify pre-existing psychiatric conditions or provoke psychological crises because of feelings of uncertainty or anxiety about unfamiliar places. Unpleasant or frightening experiences can also be more difficult to cope with while travelling because you’re removed from your usual support systems.

Many international travellers experience some degree of culture shock, the psychological stress experienced when adapting to a new culture or when re-entering your own culture after a prolonged absence. Travellers who are dealing with mental health issues before departure may be more prone to this type of stress, so learning to recognize its signs is important.

Changes in diet, activities, sleep and climate can have an impact on psychiatric symptoms and medications. If you have pre-existing psychiatric issues or disorders, see your health care provider or a travel health clinic to learn about precautionary steps you can take.

Coping with culture shock

Most foreigners living overseas experience a degree of culture shock. This form of psychological stress affects even experienced long-term travellers and occurs when familiar cues and patterns are no longer present. It is important to recognize the symptoms of culture shock, which may be fleeting or last several months. Some of the symptoms are irritability, sleepiness, apathy, depression, compulsive eating, excessive drinking, negative stereotyping of the local people and recurring minor illnesses.

For suggestions on how to ease the adjustment process, consult the publication Living abroad or see Coping with culture shock.

Long-term travel

If you’re travelling over a long period, your health risks will be different from those of the short-term traveller. You’ll be more exposed to potential disease risks and you may have to take preventive medication, such as anti-malarial drugs, for a longer time. You’ll need to learn how to shop for and prepare food safely in your new location and you may need access to health care services for yourself and other family members.

A pre-travel health assessment will document all issues that might affect the health of each family member. This assessment could include check-ups with the optometrist and dentist, as well as a psychological assessment to help you prepare for a new culture or job.

You’ll need adequate medical coverage that includes health and dental care for the length of your stay abroad and that provides full coverage if you’re away from Canada long enough to become ineligible for a provincial or territorial plan. You may also want to consider getting enhanced life and disability insurance. Before you leave home, it’s wise to inform your health care providers, including your children’s doctor, of your upcoming absence from Canada to ensure your family will still be registered with them upon your return.

Be prepared to acclimatize

Almost every traveller has experienced jet lag, the physical and psychological symptoms you feel when you travel over multiple time zones. Symptoms include fatigue, difficulty sleeping, poor concentration, altered moods and gastrointestinal problems. The effects are generally worse for eastward travel and with increasing age. It’s best to avoid caffeine, alcohol and heavy meals while you’re in the air. If you’re travelling on business, try not to schedule any work until 24 to 48 hours after you arrive. If you’re staying at your destination for more than three days, adjust your cycle of sleeping, eating and activity to your new location as soon as you arrive.

When you travel from a colder to a warmer climate, your body will need time to adjust to the heat. Take it easy if you exercise at the start of your trip and drink plenty of fluids. For protection from the tropical sun, wear sunglasses, a hat and other protective clothing. Use sunblock (SPF 15 or higher) regularly, especially if you’re taking medications that increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun.

Travel to areas of high altitude poses special risks. Oxygen decreases as you climb higher above sea level, and rapid ascents to altitudes greater than 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) can cause altitude sickness, even if you’re in excellent health. Symptoms include light-headedness, headache, fatigue, altered perceptions and sleep disorders. The safest method for climbing is a gradual ascent, taking your time to acclimatize at various altitudes. If you have to make a quick ascent, some medications may help with altitude sickness, but they aren’t suitable for everyone. Moreover, some pre-existing health conditions can make travel to high altitudes more risky. If you have heart or lung disease or diabetes, be sure to discuss this subject with a health care provider before departure.

While you travel

Avoiding disease

While some diseases can be prevented through immunization, others require extra precautions on your part to safeguard your health. You may need to take preventive medications and adjust your behaviour to reduce your risk. It’s wise to follow the precautions below, even if you’ve been vaccinated or are taking medications to prevent disease.

Hand washing with soap under warm running water is one of the most important practices in preventing illness while travelling. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used if soap and water are not readily available, so keep some in your pocket or purse.

Food- and water-borne diseases

Diseases such as hepatitis A and typhoid fever are transmitted when you consume contaminated food or water. Schistosomiasis, a parasitic illness, can be transmitted by skin contact in some tropical freshwater lakes, rivers or streams. Other infections can sometimes be transmitted in public bathing facilities, including water parks.

When it comes to eating and drinking while abroad, remember:

Insect- and tick-borne diseases

Many travel-related diseases, like dengue fever, malaria or tick-borne encephalitis, are transmitted by infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. Be aware of peak biting times (e.g. daytime vs. night-time biting mosquitoes) and areas (e.g. indoor vs. outdoor, rural vs. urban) in which certain insects may appear. Scorpions and biting spiders can also pose a risk in hot climates.

Your first line of protection against any insect- or tick-borne disease is to practise protective measures to avoid insect bites:

For more information, consult Insect bite prevention.

If you’re going to areas where malaria exists, consult your health care provider or travel health clinic for an individual travel health assessment. Be sure to take anti-malarial medication as prescribed and don’t stop taking it until you finish the full course. If you have a reaction or illness when taking the medication, see a health care provider immediately to get another method of malaria prevention.

If you become sick with fever within a year of returning to Canada, even if you took an anti-malarial medication while travelling, see a health care provider immediately and explain that you’ve travelled to or lived in an area where there is a risk of malaria. Infection with malaria is considered a medical emergency.

Animal-borne diseases

You can become ill from animal bites, from contact with animal fluids or feces or by eating food made with or from contaminated animals, including meat, fish and dairy products. Rabies, brucellosis, leptospirosis and certain viral hemorrhagic fevers are all spread through contact with animals or animal products. Reduce your risk of infection by avoiding close contact with wild, captive or domestic animals in any area where infection is being reported or is likely. Be particularly careful to prevent children from approaching or handling animals.

Protect yourself from rabies!

  • Avoid direct contact with all wild or domestic animals, especially dogs and monkeys in developing countries.
  • Don’t handle, feed or attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
  • Instruct children to avoid wild or domestic animals, even if they appear friendly.
  • Prevent bats from entering living quarters.

If you’re bitten by a potentially rabid animal, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and get medical attention immediately.

If you have difficulty getting treatment for rabies (obtaining rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin after an incident), contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate.

Influenza (flu) viruses

Influenza viruses can spread easily among humans, birds and pigs. A few simple steps can help protect you and others from the flu:

You may be at risk not only of seasonal flu but also of several other strains of influenza. Travellers 65 years of age and older, those with chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, respiratory disease), young children (six months to five years of age) and pregnant women are more likely to become seriously ill from all types of flu and may wish to take extra protective measures, such as avoiding large gatherings and crowds.

Avian influenza subtypes normally circulate among birds but can infect humans and cause severe illness. If you’re travelling to a destination where avian influenza is a concern, avoid high-risk areas such as poultry farms and live animal markets; contact with birds, including chickens, ducks and wild birds; surfaces that may be contaminated with bird droppings or secretions; and make sure that all poultry dishes and eggs are well cooked.

Additional information is available at Flu (influenza): Symptoms and treatment.

Person-to-person infections

Diseases transmitted through blood, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infection, are spread from person to person by direct contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids. Reduce your risk of infection by avoiding unprotected sex, sharing needles and other equipment for drug use, any medical or cosmetic procedure that penetrates the skin (including acupuncture, piercing and tattooing) and, except in an emergency, blood transfusions and organ transplants. In some countries, the blood or organ supply might not be adequately screened, increasing the risk of virus transmission.

Certain diseases can be spread from person to person without direct physical contact. Tiny infected droplets that spread through the air when someone coughs or sneezes can cause the flu, meningococcal disease and tuberculosis. Close contact with people in buses, planes and other crowded and enclosed places may increase your risk, so wash your hands frequently.

Diseases transmitted from sand and soil

Bacteria found naturally in sand and soil can cause infection if they come into contact with broken skin. Wear shoes to prevent penetrating wounds and avoid direct contact with soil in locations where infections such as tetanus are reported or likely to occur. Some parasites, such as intestinal worms, also live in soil and can infect you if you eat soil-contaminated vegetables.

Avoiding accidents and injuries

Traffic accidents

Traffic accidents are the most common cause of death among travellers under 50 years of age. You can reduce your risk by taking the same precautions you would at home and by being aware of – and attentively following – local traffic laws.

Accidents and injuries in recreational waters

Recreational waters – including oceans, lakes, rivers, swimming pools and spas – can pose health and safety risks. Use common sense in or near the water. Avoid alcohol, wear a life jacket aboard any watercraft and take the following precautions:

Violent crime while travelling

There is a risk of violent crime in any country. Criminals often target tourists and business travellers. See our Travel Advice and Advisories for country-specific recommendations you can follow to reduce the risk of violent crime.

Common health concerns

Gastrointestinal illness

By far, the most common traveller’s complaint is diarrhea. Travellers’ diarrhea is caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites found in local water supplies used for drinking, washing and preparing food. See Food- and water-borne diseases for precautions you can take to protect yourself.

The most important treatment for diarrhea is to get water back into your body. Drink plenty of safe fluids (bottled water, diluted juices or sports drinks) as soon as the problem starts. Bring along an oral rehydration solution, especially if you’re travelling with children; several brands are available in drug stores in Canada. Ask your health care provider or travel health clinic for more information on self-treatment of diarrheal illness. Most cases of travellers’ diarrhea will clear up in a few days. If your symptoms persist for more than two days during travel or after you come home, or if you have bloody diarrhea or fever, you should see a health care provider. For more information, see Travellers’ diarrhea.

Recreational drug and alcohol use

Although recreational drugs may be readily available in some countries, their purchase, consumption, import and export are prohibited virtually everywhere. If you break the law in another country, you are subject to that country’s judicial system. So don’t agree to transport, hold, buy or use illegal drugs under any circumstances.

Recreational drug use can also lead to serious safety risks, as well as physical and mental health problems. Drug dealers may not know (or reveal) exactly what they are selling; drugs laced with other substances or chemicals or contaminated by fungi or moulds can be harmful, resulting in bad drug reactions, including fatal overdoses.

Alcohol strengths vary widely, and the alcohol available on your travels might be stronger than what you’re used to. Some drinks, particularly alcoholic beverages, may contain harmful substances. The contents of any bottle, even brand-name bottles, may have been altered. Locally brewed liquors can be especially dangerous.

Don’t accept drinks from strangers – drugs may be added to beverages and put you at risk of sexual assault, robbery and other crimes. Also, be mindful that local laws may not tolerate drinking, especially binge drinking. The importation, possession and use of alcohol are strictly forbidden in some countries. To find out if alcohol is permitted in your destination country, contact that country’s embassy or consulate in Canada before travelling. For more information, see Alcohol, drugs and travel.

The Government of Canada does not and cannot authorize Canadians to use marijuana for medical purposes in other countries. Canadians are subject to the laws and judicial systems of the country in which they are travelling.

Sexually transmitted infections

If you have unprotected sex, you could be at risk of various sexually transmitted infections. Many sexually transmitted infections have periods with no symptoms when the infection can still be spread to others, so an infected individual may not even know he or she is at risk of transmitting disease. The risk for sexually transmitted infections is higher among travellers who engage in unprotected sex (anal, oral or vaginal), casual and/or anonymous sex and sexual activity with sex trade workers.

If you’re sexually active, follow these precautions for safer sex and to reduce the spread of infections:

For further recommendations and information, consult Sexually transmitted infections.

If things go wrong

If you become ill and require medical assistance while abroad, be aware that standards of medical care vary greatly from country to country and even within countries. More choices are generally available in urban rather than rural or remote areas. However, options for specialized treatment may be nonexistent or inadequate in some countries.

Medical emergencies

Major tourist hotels, including those in developing countries, often have in-house physicians who provide medical assistance to guests. Hotels can also arrange appointments with local physicians. Many health care providers have a fixed fee and will agree to make “house calls” to a hotel room on a priority basis.

If you need urgent care, the best option is often the nearest hospital. Ambulance services are uncommon in many countries. Use the most readily available transport to get to the hospital.

If you have a medical emergency while abroad, consular officials at the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate can:

However, Canadian consular officials cannot:

Consular services for travellers

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada has more than 260 offices worldwide, where consular officials can assist Canadians travelling, working and living abroad. For a complete list of Canadian consular services and more information on planning a safe and problem-free trip:

  • see About consular services;
  • call 1-800-267-6788 (in Canada and the U.S.) or 613-944-6788;
  • contact us via TTY by calling 1-800-394-3472 (in Canada and the U.S.); or 613-944-1310; or
  • check our Travel Advice and Advisories, including health information provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Emergency services

Canadian government offices abroad offer 24-hour assistance, seven days a week. Outside office hours, your telephone call will automatically be transferred to a consular officer in Ottawa or you’ll be asked to leave a message for a return call. In either case, there will be a prompt response.

When you return

The rise in global travel has increased the possibility of bringing diseases back into Canada. Examples include SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in 2003 and the H1N1 influenza virus in 2009. All travelling Canadians have a responsibility to protect their own health while abroad and to guard against importing diseases that could affect the health of others.

If you become sick (e.g. fever, shortness of breath) or if symptoms of an existing medical condition worsen while abroad and you’re still sick when returning to Canada, tell a flight attendant, cruise staff or border services officer upon arrival.

If you develop symptoms after returning, see a health care provider. Explain where you’ve been travelling or living and what, if any, treatment or medical care you’ve received (e.g. blood transfusions, injections, dental care, surgery).

If you’ve been taking medication to prevent malaria while travelling, you must continue to take it for the full course prescribed, even after your return to Canada. If you’ve been to an area where malaria occurs and you develop fever within a year of returning home, seek medical attention immediately. Anti-malarial medication doesn’t guarantee absolute protection against malaria.

Travel health tips

  • Get a pre-travel individual health assessment from a travel health clinic or your health care provider.
  • Make sure you have full travel health insurance coverage for both illness and injury.
  • Be prepared to acclimatize to jet lag, altitude sickness, culture shock and the effects of heat.
  • Carry proof of your need for any prescription drugs.
  • Take precautions with food and water.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Be sure to drink plenty of safe liquids to prevent dehydration.
  • Remember to take your anti-malarial medication, if prescribed.
  • Remember to take precautions against insects.
  • Use a sunblock with a minimum SPF of 15.
  • Always use a condom if you have sex with someone while travelling.
  • Never share needles and syringes.
  • Remember that swimming in contaminated water poses risks, including exposure to parasites.
  • See your health care provider immediately if you become ill with fever within a year of your return to Canada from an area known to have malaria.

For more information

Government of Canada

The Government of Canada’s website for Canadians travelling or living abroad 

travel.gc.ca

Travel Advice and Advisories 

Travel Advice and Advisories provide vital information on safety and security, local laws and customs, health conditions and entry requirements for more than 200 travel destinations. This information is also available by phone: 1-800-267-6788 (in Canada and the U.S.) or 613-944-6788.

Travel Health Notices

The Public Health Agency of Canada releases Travel health notices that outline potential health risks to Canadian travellers and recommend measures that can be taken to help reduce those risks.

Travel Health and Safety

Essential information on understanding Travel health and safety risks and preventive measures to take before and during your trip

Alcohol, Drugs and Travel

Information and advice to help you understand and avoid risks related to alcohol, drugs and travel

Publications (free)

Access smart-travel publications on line or order them by calling 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada) or 613-944-4000.

 

Global Affairs Canada

Consular services

General

1-800-267-6788 (in Canada and the U.S.) or 613-944-6788
TTY: 1-800-394-3472 (in Canada and the U.S.) or 613-944-1310

travel@international.gc.ca

Emergencies

613-996-8885 (call collect from abroad where available)

sos@international.gc.ca

Canadian embassies and consulates abroad

travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates

Stay connected

Twitter

Facebook

Foursquare

Email Travel Updates

RSS feeds

Public Health Agency of Canada

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada 

Passports, Certificates of Identity and Travel Documents

Canadian passports

canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports.html

1-800-567-6868 (in Canada and the U.S.)
TTY: 1-866-255-7655

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html
1-888-242-2100 (in Canada)
TTY: 1-888-576-8502 (in Canada, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time)

Other sources of information

International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT)

iamat.org
519-836-0102 or 416-652-0137
info@iamat.org
 
IAMAT provides a worldwide directory of qualified English-speaking health care providers, hospitals and health care centres.

MedicAlert®

medicalert.ca
2005 Sheppard Avenue East,
Suite 800, Toronto, ON M2J 5B4
416-696-0267
1-800-668-1507
 

MedicAlert® provides Canadians with customized bracelets and necklets linked to their medical records. This information can be accessed in an emergency by health professionals anywhere.

World Health Organization (WHO)

who.int

WHO publishes International Travel and Health, offering guidance on health risks travellers may encounter at specific destinations and associated with different types of travel.

Publication information

Published by Global Affairs Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Information in this publication is readily available for personal and public non-commercial use and may be reproduced, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from Global Affairs Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. We ask only that:

All information in this publication is provided on an “as is” basis without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Global Affairs Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada make all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in this publication is accurate. The Government of Canada, as the publisher, is solely responsible for the accuracy, completeness, timeliness and reliability of any such information. The information, however, is subject to change at any time without notice.

The reader is also encouraged to supplement this information with independent research and professional advice.

This publication is available in alternative formats upon request. 

To obtain more information or free copies of this publication, write to:

Public Enquiries Service
Global Affairs Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2
Tel.: 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada) or 613-944-4000
Email: info@international.gc.ca
 

We would like to receive your comments on this publication. Write to us at the address above or email us at travel@international.gc.ca.

 
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