Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.
Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles. Rabies is a deadly illness spread to humans through a bite, scratch or lick from an infected animal. Vaccination should be considered for travellers going to areas where rabies exists and who have a high risk of exposure e.
Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from 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.
About Yellow Fever. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination s you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.
Travellers to any destination in the world can develop travellers' diarrhea from consuming contaminated water or food. In some areas in South America, food and water can also carry diseases like cholera , hepatitis A , schistosomiasis and typhoid. Practise safe food and water precautions while travelling in South America. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.
Travellers visiting regions with a risk typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation should speak to a health care professional about vaccination. In some areas in South America, certain insects carry and spread diseases like American trypanosomiasis Chagas disease , chikungunya , dengue fever , leishmaniasis , malaria , onchocerciasis river blindness , West Nile virus , yellow fever and Zika virus. Travellers are advised to take precautions against bites.
There is currently a risk of chikungunya in this country. Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya. Cutaneous and mucosal leishmaniasis causes skin sores and ulcers. It is caused by a parasite spread through the bite of a female sandfly.
Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from sandfly bites, which typically occur after sunset in rural and forested areas and in some urban centres.
There is no vaccine or medication to protect against leishmaniasis. Zika virus is a risk in this country. Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be sexually transmitted. Zika virus can cause serious birth defects. Pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy should visit a health care professional before travelling to discuss the potential risks of travelling to this country.
Pregnant women may choose to avoid or postpone travel to this country. For more travel recommendations, see the travel health notice: Zika virus: Advice for travellers. Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, monkeys, snakes, rodents, and bats.
Certain infections found in some areas in South America, 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. Many private clinics offer emergency services. They may require advance payment in cash or by credit card. Ensure that you have access to sufficient funds. Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.
Canadian citizens have died or had serious health complications following cosmetic or other elective surgeries in Colombia. Before leaving for a medical travel, make sure you have done your research and use competent health-care providers only. Always keep your medication in the original container. If possible, pack them in your carry-on luggage and carry a copy of your prescription s.
Bring sufficient quantities of your medication with you, as the same medication may not be available in Colombia. Altitude sickness can be life-threatening. It may require immediate medical evacuation. A health-care professional can advise you of how to prevent or reduce the effects of altitude sickness. The quality of Colombian tap water is better in colder regions than in warmer zones. Regardless of your location, it may not meet Canadian standards.
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.
Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth. Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals. If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately: Wash the wound with soap and clean water. Go to a doctor right away. Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.
Reduce your exposure to germs. Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling: Wash your hands often, especially before eating. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve not your hands when coughing or sneezing.
Try to avoid contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care. Avoid sharing body fluids. Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.
Protect yourself: Use latex condoms correctly. Do not inject drugs. Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated. Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin.
That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture. If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized. Know how to get medical care while traveling. Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise: Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination. Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip.
Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance. Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take. Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Bring all the medicines including over-the-counter medicines you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.
Select safe transportation. Walking Be smart when you are traveling on foot. Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks. Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas. Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries. Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
Ride only in cars that have seatbelts. Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans. Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers. Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable. Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes. Think about the driver.
Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking. Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area. Arrange payment before departing. Follow basic safety tips. Wear a seatbelt at all times. Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis. When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. Bring a helmet from home, if needed. Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Colombia may be poor.
Do not use a cell phone or text while driving illegal in many countries. Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas. If you choose to drive a vehicle in Colombia, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork. Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed.
Make sure you have liability insurance. Flying Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft. If possible, fly on larger planes more than 30 seats ; larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
The CDC's latest guidance on international travel for vaccinated people can be found here. You are about to leave travel. Department of State. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel. Cancel GO. Skip to main content. Gov Travel. Passports International Travel U. Stay Connected. Law Enforcement.
If your passport is lost or stolen, it can take up to three weeks to get a replacement, due to time and distance factors. So please take extreme care with your passport and other personal documentation. Getting a replacement passport will be easier if you are able to provide a copy of the lost or stolen one, so keep photocopies of your passport. If you're a victim of a crime while in Colombia, report it to the local police immediately.
Many insurance companies will only compensate loss from theft if you can provide a police report. If you're planning to drive in Colombia, you should be extremely careful. Driving and road standards are variable. Travel by road outside the major cities, including by public transport, is dangerous.
If you want to drive:. We strongly advise against hailing taxis from the street. If you're hiring a vehicle, we advise you not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you're allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times. Check that you have adequate insurance and read the small print of the vehicle hire contract particularly any waiver that will come into effect if the vehicle is damaged.
Drug trafficking is a serious crime in Colombia and drug smugglers face severe penalties, usually receiving long terms of imprisonment. Don't handle drugs in Colombia. Pack your luggage yourself and keep it with you at all times. Don't carry anything through customs for anybody else. Colombia is in an active seismic zone, which can prove dangerous. If you're travelling to or living in Colombia, make sure you know what to do in the event of an earthquake.
Colombia is also subject to volcanic activity. If travelling to volcanic zones e. Colombia is prone to heavy rains, which can affect large areas of the country, particularly in the Andes regions and during the rainy seasons of April to May and October to November. Pay close attention to the warnings issued by the Colombian authorities. Irish citizens don't need a visa to visit Colombia for periods of up to 90 days.
When entering the country, you may need to provide evidence of return or onward travel. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Colombia. Entry requirements change from time to time, so check these requirements with the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Colombia. Check your visa requirements with a US Embassy or Consulate well in advance of travel. It's advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you.
During your stay you should carry a photocopy of your passport, the passport page containing your Colombian visa if applicable , and the passport page containing your entry stamp, at all times. Medical facilities in Colombia vary widely in quality. In larger cities, private clinics usually provide good quality care, whereas public health facilities and those in smaller cities may be of poorer quality.
Before you travel, you should make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. Foreign nationals who violate immigration laws in Colombia e.
0コメント