Common Vaccinations & Diseases

Japanese encephalitis is a disease involving inflammation of the brain caused by a viral infection. It is spread by infected mosquitoes. The risk for developing Japanese encephalitis is in Asian countries, although the risk is very low. It increases in agricultural and rural areas and for those traveling to affected areas for periods greater than one month. Symptoms of Japanese encephalitis include fever and headaches, and while usually mild, 1 person for every 200 infected can develop a more serious infection with rapidly worsening symptoms including headaches, fever, neck stiffness, seizures, coma, paralysis and death. Approximately 1 in 5 people with a serious case of Japanese encephalitis will develop long-term complications and up to 30% of those with serious infection may die. Symptoms generally develop 5-15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Rabies is a viral infection transmitted through contact with infected animals. The virus is found in animal saliva and can be spread to humans through animal scratches, bites, or licks over compromised human skin through cuts or exposed mucous membranes. Initial symptoms included headache, fever, muscle aches, tiredness, and tingling or numbness at the site of the scratch or bite. Untreated, it can develop into a more severe disease where hyperactivity, hallucinations, paralysis, or seizures occur. After symptoms appear, treatment will not help and death will result. Symptoms of rabies usually develop 20-30 days after the animal contact. Travelers to areas that have widespread risk of rabies, as well as areas where there is unknown or poor access to safe and adequate post-exposure management, as well as long-term and frequent travelers to high-risk areas should consider rabies vaccination. Children, especially those who are too young to understand the need to avoid animals or to report a traumatic animal contact should receive a pre-exposure immunization when traveling to endemic areas.

Hepatitis A is caused by a virus found in contaminated water or food, or by direct contact with a person with Hepatitis A. Symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, weight loss, rashes, dark urine, joint pain and yellowing of the skin and eyes. For most people, symptoms usually resolve fully with the help of our immunization system. However, there is a risk of developing serious complications including liver failure. Symptoms usually appear 2-4 weeks after the consumption of water or food contaminated with hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is one of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases in travelers, and therefore it is recommended that all travelers to most countries outside of Canada be vaccinated.

Typhoid is an infection caused by bacteria through the consumption of water or food that is contaminated with the bacteria salmonella typhi. The infection causes symptoms including headaches, high fever, stomach pains, weakness, loss of appetite or rash. 1 in 10 people will experience complications of typhoid, which can include infection in the brain, seizures, pneumonia, inflammation of the heart and death. Symptoms usually occur about a week after the consumption of contaminated water or food. The risk of developing typhoid exists in many parts of the world including Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Small outbreaks have occurred in Eastern Europe. Health Canada recommends those traveling to South Asia be vaccinated. The vaccine may also be recommended for those who travel regularly, are traveling to developing countries, or are traveling for extended periods.

Tetanus is an infection caused by spores of bacteria that enter the body through a cut in the skin. This can be from more serious injuries like stepping on a sharp object like a rusty nail, or through wounds that are less deep and serious. Tetanus spores can be found in dirt, dust, and manure, and are therefore ever-present and universal. Unlike many other illnesses, tetanus is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person. It causes very serious symptoms and complications, particularly to the nervous system, which include dysfunction of the nervous system leading to stiffness of the jaw, and muscle spasms, and can later lead to paralysis and death. Because of the very serious risks, it is important to seek immediate attention if you are cut and are not sure if your vaccination against tetanus is up to date. Symptoms develop anywhere between 3 days and 4 or more weeks after sustaining an injury.

Measles, mumps, and rubella are viral diseases that may negatively affect non-immune pregnant women and their fetuses/neonates. Because measles, mumps, and rubella are endemic in many countries, protection against these diseases is particularly important for travelers. Travelers born after 1970, who do not have evidence of receiving 2 doses of MMR vaccine on or after their first birthday, or laboratory evidence of immunity, or a history of confirmed measles, should be vaccinated. MMR vaccine may be given as early as 6 months old for children traveling outside of Canada where this disease is of concern, or those traveling to locations experiencing any outbreaks. However, 2 additional doses of measles-containing vaccine must be administered after the child is 12 months old to ensure long-lasting immunity to measles.

Chikungunya is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes. There is no vaccine to prevent the development of Chikungunya, therefore it is important to avoid mosquitoes while traveling. Infected mosquitos are more active during the day than at night, which contrasts with other mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria. Select countries in South America, North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa contain mosquitoes that could spread the virus. The most common symptoms of Chikungunya include joint pain and fever which will resolve on their own after a week for most people. In some people, however, joint pain can continue for several months. Symptoms usually appear 3-7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.