Canada's urgent travel advisory for China remains in effect
Canada has had a serious travel advisory in effect for anyone travelling to China since August, warning of potential health risks.
According to the Government of Canada’s travel advisory, travellers heading to China are urged to exercise caution due to the risk of contracting chikungunya. According to the advisory, the chance of contracting the virus varies by season, year, region, and elevation.
“The virus that causes chikungunya is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito,” reads the statement. “It can cause fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.”
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According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, symptoms can include rash, fatigue, vomiting, and headache. Symptoms can appear within three to seven days, but could take as long as 12 days to show up. Infants, older adults, and people with long-term medical conditions like hypertension and diabetes are at risk of developing complications that affect the eyes, heart, stomach, intestines, and nervous system.
Travellers can protect themselves by getting a vaccine to prevent chikungunya, which is approved in Canada, so make sure to discuss the benefits and risks with your healthcare provider at least six weeks before you travel.
You can also protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times by following Health Canada’s guidelines, which include using insect repellent and netting and covering up.
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Mosquitoes that carry the chikungunya virus bite throughout the day, but are more active around sunrise and sunset. They can also be found both indoors and outdoors. Virus-carrying mosquitoes can be found in Europe, Asia, Africa, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Central America, the Pacific Islands, and the Southern US.
Canada also recently issued a travel advisory for Italy, warning Canadians of safety and security risks in northern Italy during the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Canadians travelling internationally can sign up for Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA). The free and confidential service notifies citizens outside the country of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home.