Brazil

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• There is a risk of malaria in Amazonia; strains are highly resistant to chloroquine (level-3 classification).
• Dengue fever remains a health risk that is not properly taken care of and is endemic in the country.
• Several cases of leishmaniosis have been reported in the state of Sao Paulo.
• Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
• Animal rabies exists in the country.
• It is recommended to avoid bathing in lakes or ponds due to the risk of schistosomiasis.

FOOD SAFETY

• Gastric diseases are common among tourists who are not accustomed to local food or who do not take precautions.
• Do not drink tap water and favor bottled mineral water, without ice ; avoid eating ice cream and sherbet.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked dishes, especially meat or fish. If possible, order hot dishes.
• Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
• Wash your hands carefully before each meal.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• Travellers entering the country from an endemic area are required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever.
Systematically:
• Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
• Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.
Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:
• Typhoid fever: if the stay is occurring in precarious hygiene condition. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
• Rabies: recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• Tuberculosis: in case of a long stay, it is recommended to have children immunized against tuberculosis as soon as they reach the age of one month, and against mumps, measles and rubella when they reach the age of nine months.
• Recommended chemoprophylaxis against malaria (only if you stay in Amazonia): mefloquine (commercial name: Lariam) or doxycycline (commercial name: Doxypalu).

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Rio de Janeiro
• Following hospitals and clinics are recommended and have an electric generating set in case of a power cut:
• Hospital Municipal Miguel Couto, avenida Bartolomeu Mitre, 1108 - Leblon: (21) 2274 2121 ou 2274 6050
• Hospital Copa d'Or, avenida Figueiredo de Magalhaes, 875 - Copacabana: (021) 2545 3600
• Clinica Bambina, rua Bambina, 56 - Botafogo: (21) 2539 0662
• Clinica Samaritano, rua Bambina, 98 - Botafogo: (21) 2535 4000
• Clinica Sao Vicente, rua Joao Borges, 204 - Gavea: (21) 2529 4505
• Clinica Procardiaco (cardiology), rua Dona Mariana, 219 - Botafogo: (21) 2528 1442
• Clinica Pediatrica Urpe (pediatry), avenida Pasteur, 72 - Botafogo: (21) 2543 1378
Sao Paulo
• Dr. Gerhard Van Dem Bach (GP): (11) 289 11 66
• Dr. Anna Cecilia Panico Bailly (GP) :(11) 5533 1075 (portable 9932 2318)

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Emergency health service: 192
• Firemen: 1923
• Police: 190

CLIMATE

• Given the size of the country, climates are varied. December, January and February are the hottest months (from 30 to 40°C) with a high humidity rate and short but frequent rainfalls, especially in the south-east (Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro). In this region, winters are mild and nights are often chilly, especially in Sao Paulo.
• In the north of the country (Amazonia), the climate is tropical, thus hot and wet with a rain season from January to May and a dry season from June to October.
• In the Nordeste, climate is mild all year long (22 to 28 °C) with frequent rainfalls from December to March. The inside of the country is hot and very dry.
• In the south, the coast (Porto Alegre) has a mediterranean climate (summers are hot, winters may be chilly), but in mountains, winters are colder. It may sometimes snow and temperatures may drop below 0°.
• When to go: between September and November.