Whatever Happened to Zika?
Zika became a very familiar word during the large outbreak of the virus in Brazil in 2015, when there were an estimated 440,000-1,300,000 people infected. The virus was frequently reported in the media as it spread throughout South America, Central America and the Caribbean and was linked to birth defects in infants born to women […]
High Altitude Sickness and Trekking in Nepal
The Himalayan Mountains in Nepal are a draw to many travellers. People travel from all over the world to catch a glimpse of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest, standing at an impressive 8,848m (29,029ft). While about 600 people reach summit of Mount Everest each year, the region is a popular destination for thousands of […]
Adventurous Eating Across the Globe
One of the highlights of travelling is sampling the local flavours. You might come across some foods on your travels that would test the limits of even the most adventurous eaters. From mopane worms in Zimbabwe, to a duck fetus in Philippines, we’ve highlighted some foods from around the world that you might want to […]
The Importance of Keeping up with Routine Vaccines – for Both Children and Adults
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives in many ways. The pandemic has strained health care systems and resulted in a major decrease in childhood immunization rates worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2020 there were 23 million children younger than one year of age who did not receive basic vaccines. This is […]
Destination Mexico
A Mexico for everyone Mexico has it all. Whether you want beaches or nightlife, rustic or modern, Aztec-ruin-adventure or all-inclusive, family-friendly or grownups only, there is a Mexico for everyone. One of the most popular getaway destinations these days is Mexico and with good reason! Mexico is a diverse country that offers something for everyone. […]
Travelling with Children
Does planning a trip with your young children feel daunting? While there may be new worries that never crossed your mind in your child free travel days, travelling with children doesn’t need to be scary! Here are some factors to consider in your planning as well as tips for keeping your child healthy on your […]
COVID-19 Testing for Travellers
International travel during the COVID-19 pandemic can be difficult to navigate. Every country has their own set of COVID-19 entry requirements, and these requirements are frequently changing. Many countries require proof of a negative COVID-19 test within a certain timeframe before entering the country, but there are different types of COVID-19 tests. Some countries accept […]
Water Treatment Options
Bottled water, filters, chemicals, boiling, UV lights – there are many options for accessing clean drinking water while travelling. But are all methods equally as effective? The answer is no! Below we will review the pros and cons of several options for clean water and disinfection methods. These tips are not only useful when travelling, […]
How to Find Your Vaccine Records
Unless you had a mother like mine who still has her paper vaccine records from the 1950’s, you may be at a loss of how to find out which vaccines you received as a child, or how to locate your records. There is no centralized database of immunization records in BC, so finding your vaccine […]
Oh Crap! – Coping with Traveller’s Diarrhea
There are few things more dreadful than experiencing a bout of diarrhea while travelling abroad. The frequent trips to the bathroom, bloating, gas, and cramps are not the experiences people hope for when they are planning their travels. Fortunately for most, traveller’s diarrhea, while a literal pain in the butt, tends to only last a […]
The Dengue Vaccine
Many Canadians travel to areas in the world where dengue fever is a risk. We are often asked at TravelSafe about the dengue fever vaccine in our clinic. Here’s everything you need to know about dengue fever and the vaccine to prevent it. What is dengue fever and how is it spread? Dengue fever is […]
The Facts about Malaria Prevention
At TravelSafe Clinic we see a lot of travellers planning trips to destinations where there is malaria risk. We also often see a lot of misconceptions when it comes to malaria prevention and malaria medications. Below we’ll answer some common questions about malaria, address some misconceptions, and outline the key things to know about malaria […]
Favourite 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 […]
Returning to Travel Safely
As travel restrictions ease and countries begin opening their doors to tourists, many people are starting to plan their long-awaited getaways. Countries that rely on tourism were hard hit when the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, and the return to travel can begin to generate socioeconomic growth in countries that rely so heavily on tourism. […]
Packing Essentials
Whether you are setting out on a weeklong tropical vacation – or satisfying a travel craving with a six-month backpacking trip – packing essentials 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 […]