Brazil

Have a safe trip with travel vaccines and advice from medical professionals.

Travel health and safety for Brazil 🇧🇷

Enjoy a land of breathtaking natural beauty, sizzling culture, and endless adventure in Brazil.

Brazil, nestled in South America, is renowned for its diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history. From the lush Amazon rainforest to the bustling streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil offers a wide assortment of experiences for travelers.

One of its most iconic landmarks is the Christ the Redeemer statue, perched atop Corcovado Mountain, overlooking the city. This colossal monument stands as a symbol of Brazilian spirituality and engineering prowess. Along the coast, pristine beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema provide a perfect backdrop for relaxation, water sports, and people-watching.

For nature enthusiasts, the Amazon rainforest beckons with its unparalleled biodiversity. Home to countless species of flora and fauna, this vast expanse offers opportunities for wildlife encounters, canopy tours, and river cruises.

Brazil is known for its warm and welcoming people, who exude a vibrant and lively spirit. Hospitality is a cornerstone of Brazilian culture, with locals often going out of their way to make visitors feel at home. From the lively celebrations of Carnival to the traditional art of capoeira, Brazil’s culture is a testament to its rich and dynamic heritage.

Travel Immunizations for Brazil

What vaccines do I need for Brazil? Get all the information and vaccinations you need to minimize travel health risks.

Yellow Fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes in certain regions of Africa and South America.

  • Mild cases: Fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting
  • Severe cases: High fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), bleeding, organ failure, and, in some cases, death.
  • There is a risk of yellow fever in Brazil.
  • Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.
  • Vaccination is recommended depending on your itinerary.

Hepatitis A virus can cause liver disease, and in rare cases, liver failure and death.

  • Can be spread by fecal-oral transmission, consuming contaminated food or water, or close, personal contact with an infected person.
  • Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and joint pain.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that targets the liver and may cause chronic infections. 

  • Its primary mode of transmission is through direct blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through unprotected sex or sharing needles.
  • Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting and joint pain.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

  • Spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected individuals.
  • Symptoms initially resemble a common cold, followed by a characteristic rash fever, cough, runny nose, small, white spots inside the mouth and throat red eyes, sleepiness, and irritability.

Rabies is a viral infection transmitted through animal bites.  

  • Symptoms may initially include fever, headache, and discomfort at the bite site, progressing to more severe neurological symptoms. Rabies is fatal if it is not treated before symptoms develop.
  • Rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.

Typhoid is a bacterial infection typically transmitted through contaminated food and water.  

  • Typhoid vaccine is available in both injectable and oral forms and provides protection against typhoid fever.    
  • Symptoms of typhoid fever include a high fever, headache, weakness, fatigue, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, loss of appetite, and a rose-colored rash on the chest and abdomen. 

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.

Health Canada strongly advises travelers ensure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including:

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Guards against the varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)

Protects against three different bacterial infections.

Flu (Influenza)

Vaccination against seasonal influenza strains is essential.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Provides immunity against all three diseases in one shot.

Polio

Essential for guarding against the poliovirus.

Shingles

Offers protection against a viral infection that causes painful rashes.

COVID-19

The ongoing pandemic necessitates adherence to vaccination guidelines and preventive measures.

Brazil Concerns / Health Canada Recommendations

Most common illness for travelers, from consuming contaminated food & water

  • Affects up to 70% of travelers and risks minimized with good hygiene and safe food/drink choices (eg. avoid raw foods, ice in drinks).
  • Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, bloating.

Malaria is a serious and occasionally fatal disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. 

  • Symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, similar to the flu. Without treatment, malaria can cause severe illness and death. 
  • Malaria can be treated with anti-malarial medications. 
  • Use insect repellents containing DEET, wear long sleeves, long pants, and consider staying in accommodations with screens or bed nets. 

Schistosomiasis

Parasitic disease that can spread to humans through freshwater sources contaminated by blood flukes (tiny worms).

  • Symptoms include itchy rash at site of penetration, fever, cough, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
  • Avoid swimming in freshwater sources (lakes, rivers, ponds).

Insect Bite Prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. Cover up and use insect repellents to protect against infection.     

  • Dengue: Symptoms include high-grade fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and nausea/vomiting.    
  • Zika: Symptoms include rash, itch, mild fever, headache, red eyes, muscle, and joint pains. 
  • Cutaneous leishmaniasis: symptoms usually develop within weeks of a bite from an infected sand fly.

    • Symptoms typically begin as a painless bump which can progress to nodule or even an ulcer. Sometimes there is also lymph node swelling as well.

  • Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis: Symptoms include the feeling of a “stuffed up” nose, frequent nose bleeds, and mouth or nose sores.
  • Visceral leishmaniasis: Rare in travelers, symptoms include fever, weight loss, enlarged liver and spleen, abdominal pain and blood abnormalities.

  • American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease): Symptoms include skin lesions and/or eye lid swelling. Fever, headache, enlarged lymph glands, muscle pain, fatigue, body aches, rash, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting

Over the Counter Medications for Travel to Brazil

Pain Relief

Medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) can be helpful for managing headaches, muscle pain, or fever. 

Anti-Diarrheal Medications

It’s advisable to carry over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (e.g., Imodium) to treat mild cases of traveler’s diarrhea. However, it’s important to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if diarrhea persists or worsens. 

Antacids

Antacids like Tums or Pepto-Bismol can provide relief from indigestion or heartburn, which can sometimes occur when trying new foods or experiencing changes in diet during travel. 

Allergy Medications

If you have known allergies, carrying antihistamines like cetirizine(e.g., Reactine) or diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) can help manage allergic reactions to environmental allergens or insect bites. 

Motion Sickness Medications

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider carrying medication like dimenhydrinate (e.g., Gravol) to alleviate symptoms during long journeys or when traveling by car, train, or boat.

Sun Protection

It is essential to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, wear hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing. 

Medical Services and Facilities in Brazil
  • Good health care is only available in major cities. Quality of care varies greatly throughout the country.
  • Private hospitals and clinics located in cities are often better staffed and equipped than public or rural facilities.
  • Some medical facilities in the state of Rio de Janeiro have closed or are providing limited services, due to lack of funding for their operations. Private hospitals remain operational.
  • Certain medications may not be available.
  • Physicians and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment.
  • Medical evacuation can be very expensive, and you may need it in case of serious illness or injury.
  • Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Consular Assistance in Brazil

Street Address: SES – Av. das Nações, Quadra 803, Lote 16, 70410-900 Brasília, DF, Brazil 

Telephone: +55 61 3424 5400

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.Canada.ca/Canada-And-Brazil

Street Address: Av. Atlântica 1130, 13º andar, Copacabana, 22021-000 Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brazil

Telephone: +55 21 3444 0300

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.Canada.ca/Canada-And-Brazil

Street Address: Centro Empresarial Nações Unidas – Torre Norte, Av. das Nações Unidas, 12901, 16º andar, 04578-000 São Paulo – SP, Brazil

Telephone: +55 11 5509 4321

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.Canada.ca/Canada-And-Brazil

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.

Emergency Services
  • Police (military): 190
  • Medical assistance: 192
  • Firefighters: 193

Tourist Police:

  • Rio de Janeiro: (21) 2332 2924 or 2334 6802
  • São Paulo: (11) 3120 4447 or 3151 4167
  • Salvador: (71) 3116-6817
  • Recife: (81) 3322-4867

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