North and Central America and Caribbean

Human cases of swine influenza have been reported in certain areas of Canada.  You should check for updates on the number of cases and their location through the Public Health Agency of Canada. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its pandemic threat alert Phase to Level 5.  The WHO website has further details. In addition, you should monitor  local media reports for any developments.  There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance about pandemic flu is available through the UK Department of Health.  

 

Rabies is a present in most of Canada and can be spread by small animals such as racoon's and bats.  You should seek urgent medical advice if bitten by a wild animal.

 

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 73,000 adults aged 15 or over in Canada were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.4% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

 

Additional advice can also be found on the information for travellers’ page on Health Canada's website.

 

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Canada and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on endemic diseases, health outbreaks and vaccination requirements for Canada you should check the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general information see Travel Health.