Released: March 25, 2008
Travel Health Notice
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recommends that travelers get the flu vaccine and practise good hand hygiene to prevent getting the flu (influenza) when travelling.
Influenza is a severe respiratory illness. It typically starts with a headache, chills and cough, followed rapidly by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur, especially in children.
Most people will recover from the flu within seven to ten days, but some don't. People over 65, and adults and children with chronic conditions,- such as diabetes and cancer - are at greater risk of more severe complications, such as pneumonia. Between 4000 and 8000 people die of the flu and its complications in Canada each year.
The flu spreads through droplets that have been coughed or sneezed into the air by someone who is already infected. You can get sick if these droplets land on your eyes or are breathed in through your nose or mouth. The flu virus is also found on the hands of people with the flu and on surfaces they have touched. If you shake hands with people that have the flu or touch contaminated surfaces and then touch your own eyes, nose or mouth, you risk getting the flu.
Influenza occurs worldwide. The highest level of flu activity in the northern hemisphere is usually from January to March. However, there can still be occasional cases and even outbreaks that occur at any time of the year.
PHAC strongly recommends that Canadian travelers consult their personal physicians or a travel clinic at least six weeks prior to international travel, regardless of destination. Travelers should assess their individual health risks and their needs for vaccination, preventative medications, and personal protective measures.
PHAC also recommends that travelers who become sick or feel unwell when they return to Canada should visit their personal physicians. Travelers should inform their physicians, without being asked, that they have been traveling or living outside of Canada, and where they have been.
