Spring Break Getaways 2019
Many families consider spring break to be the light at the end of the winter tunnel, as Canadians across the country count down the chilly days. With the children off school for two weeks, spring break is an annual opportunity to escape to warmer climates and enjoy some fun in the sunshine. Our favourite destinations […]
Seeking Medical Attention While Travelling
You’ve gone for your pre-travel consultation, received the recommended vaccines, and are following all the travel-health advice given to you. Despite all your planning and best efforts, the unexpected has happened on your trip. Whether it’s a fever, diarrhea, weird rash, injury or animal bite you need to seek medical attention in a developing country. […]
The What’s What about Measles
Measles is a highly contagious disease spread by a virus easily transmitted though the air. It was once a common disease in Canada during childhood. Before the introduction of the measles vaccine the disease caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths worldwide and was a significant cause of disability. Measles is still common in many developing […]
Travellers Visiting Friends and Relatives
A common misconceptionis that immigrants to Canada now returning home to a low or middle-income country to visit friends or family do not need vaccinations or travel health advice. While it is true that people living in certain countries build immunity to some diseases, that immunity is lost after moving away. These travellers, commonly known […]
The Plus Side of Couples’ Travel
Solo travel is empowering, family trips are filled with fun – but vacationing as a couple can truly form memories of a lifetime. A trip with your significant other has the ability to work wonders for your relationship, whether you’re embarking on a weekend getaway, staycation or multi-continent voyage. In celebration of Valentine’s Day, we’ve […]
Packing Essentials
Whether you aresetting outon a weeklong tropical vacation – orsatisfying a travel cravingwith a six-month backpacking trip – packing for any type of getaway can be daunting. Seasoned travellers will agree that the general goal is to take only the necessities and nothing more, but this can become tricky when your itinerary is laden with a […]
Destination Jamaica – So much more than an all-inclusive vacation!
Jamaica is the perfect destination for an all-inclusive getaway. If all you want to do is lie on the beach and drink Red Stripes, then Jamaica has no shortage of all-inclusive resorts to choose from. With its calm blue water, delicious food, and chill reggae vibes, this is an ideal destination for a week of […]
Infectious diseases you’ve probably never heard of Part I: SCHISTOSOMIASIS
We’ve all heard of malaria, dengue fever, typhoid fever and hepatitis. These are all common infectious diseases we hear about while traveling, especially in developing countries. But what about the lesser known infectious diseases? Like schistosomiasis?… Shisto-what? Exactly. What is Shistosomiasis? Shistosomiasis, also known as Bilharzia, is caused by parasitic worms (helminths). It is spread […]
Yellow Fever Outbreaks and Updates
Travelling to South America or Africa? What You Need to Know About Yellow Fever If you are travelling to Africa or South America you may be at risk for yellow fever. Yellow fever is a potentially serious and life threatening disease caused by a virus spread by an infected mosquito that generally bite during the […]
Top Stocking Stuffers for Travellers
One of the most beloved traditions of the holiday season is unpacking the contents of the treasured stocking. These knickknacks may be small in size, but stocking stuffers are celebrated as an annual delight for both young and old. Especially appealing to jetsetter friends and family, stocking stuffers’ slight stature make travelling with gifts a […]
Reef-Friendly Sunscreen
Is your sunscreen reef-friendly? As kids, we were told repeatedly by our parents to wear sunscreen. Anytime we went outside, we heard the mantra, “don’t forget to put on sunscreen!” And with good reason. Sunscreen not only shields us from painful and unsightly sunburns, it also protects us from dangerous sun-related conditions, such as skin […]
How to Choose an Insect Repellent for Travel
DEET vs. Icaridin : How to Choose an Insect Repellent for Travel DEET, icaridin, citronella, eucalyptus – the choices for insect repellents are almost endless! When travelling to areas with mosquito borne diseases (eg. malaria, yellow fever, dengue, zika, Japanese Encephalitis, chikungunya) the Public Health Agency of Canada recommends the use of a repellent that […]
A Tropical Christmas Vacation
Some Tips from TravelSafe Immunization Clinic A traditional white Christmas can be a truly joyful and magical experience: snowmen, the smell of pine trees, hot cocoa by the fireplace and the ever-popular Christmas pullovers. However, as most Vancouverites know, our Christmases are more of a greyish hue mixed with rain and sleet. So, we totally […]
An Update on the Shingrix Vaccine
You may have heard the buzz about the new and highly effective Shingrix vaccine to prevent shingles. This vaccine is recommended for all adults ≥ 50 years of age. Anybody who has had the chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles. How is shingles contracted? Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. […]
Terrifying Tourism!
(Read with Caution) That spooky time of year is just around the corner again! No, I’m not talking about tax time, but the OTHER really scary time of the year! That’s right. Halloween! When it comes to frightening fare, it seems that most people are divided into two camps: ones that love being scared and […]