Brazil
Travel Destination – Brazil
From the lush Amazon rainforest to the iconic beaches of Rio de Janeiro and the energetic rhythms of Carnival, Brazil never fails to captivate travellers and adventure seekers alike. Brazil’s natural wonders, iconic wildlife, and lively cities offer endless opportunities for exploration. Thoughtful preparation makes exploring Brazil safer and more enjoyable, including health precautions, transport planning, and cultural awareness.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to Brazil, it’s recommended to book a consultation with a travel doctor to help you prepare for a safe and enjoyable trip. Your doctor can design a personalised travel health plan, whether you’re exploring Rio de Janeiro, visiting the Amazon rainforest, or relaxing on Brazil’s famous beaches. They will review your vaccination record, provide guidance on recommended vaccines for Brazil, and supply prescriptions for any necessary medications. Aim to book your appointment six to eight weeks before you travel to allow time for multi-dose vaccinations, though last-minute travel health consultations are still valuable for essential advice and accelerated vaccine schedules.
Insect avoidance
Brazil has a high prevalence of mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue, malaria, Zika, and chikungunya, particularly in warm and humid regions. To lower your risk, sleep in rooms with air-conditioning or proper screens, or use a permethrin-treated mosquito net when staying in rustic or outdoor settings. Long sleeves, long trousers, and insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus are recommended when outdoors. Enhancing protection with permethrin-treated gear and reducing standing water near your lodging can significantly reduce mosquito activity.
Food and water hygiene
Brazil’s cuisine ranges from vibrant street snacks to Amazonian specialties, and practising safe food habits will help you enjoy it without illness. Wash your hands or sanitise them before meals to reduce your risk of gastroenteritis and other digestive infections. Eat food that is thoroughly cooked and served hot, and avoid raw or reheated dishes. Street food is safest when prepared fresh in front of you. Stick to peelable fruits, and drink only boiled, filtered, or bottled water. Avoid untreated tap water and any ice made from it.
Rabies prevention
While animals in Australia do not carry rabies, Brazil reports cases in dogs, bats and certain land animals. Prevention centres on avoiding contact with unfamiliar animals, particularly in forested or rural areas. Consider speaking with a travel doctor about rabies vaccination before you go, especially if your trip involves wildlife, remote travel, or work with animals. If an exposure occurs in Brazil, seek immediate medical care for post-exposure treatment. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms emerge, making prompt attention critical.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Brazil?
Yellow Fever
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Yellow Fever is a viral infection carried by mosquitoes, causing fever, muscle pain and headaches. It can cause the skin to turn yellow, and more severe complications can affect the kidneys and liver. Severe cases can have a fatality rate of 30-60%. Vaccination is recommended if travelling to some locations of Brazil, including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Iguaçu Falls and the capital city Brasília. It is best to discuss your travel plans with your doctor so they can give you specific advice, tailored to your itinerary.
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is an acute viral liver infection spread through contaminated food or drinking water. Symptoms range from mild gastrointestinal upset to yellow skin and more severe illness. Hepatitis A vaccination is not routinely included in the national schedule, but there is an increased likelihood of exposure in Brazil compared to Australia. Travellers who have not already received both doses of the vaccine should strongly consider immunisation before their trip, especially if staying in rural areas, eating street food, or spending time in community settings.
Typhoid
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Typhoid is a bacterial infection of Salmonella Typhi or Paratyphi that is transmitted through unsafe food or drinking water, causing fever, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or constipation. The risk in Brazil is higher than in Australia, especially in smaller towns and remote regions. Travellers who haven’t been vaccinated against typhoid in the last three years should strongly consider immunisation before departure. Those planning home-stays, rural travel, or frequent street-food eating are at particular risk. Vaccination and careful food and water hygiene offer the best defence.
Hepatitis B
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Hepatitis B is a long-term viral infection of the liver that is transmitted when infected blood or bodily fluids enter the body, often through unprotected sex, shared personal items, or procedures like tattooing done without proper sterilisation. Many adults in Australia lack immunity because the vaccine was not always included in earlier schedules. Travellers heading to Brazil who have not been vaccinated, especially when staying for extended periods or engaging in higher-risk activities, should consider the Hepatitis B vaccine. Your travel doctor can check your vaccination status and provide personalised advice.
Routine vaccinations
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Australia’s strong vaccination program limits the spread of many infectious diseases, but travellers heading to Brazil may encounter higher rates of measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus. Before travelling, ensure your routine vaccinations are up to date. A travel doctor can identify any missing doses and advise if boosters are appropriate, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus, influenza, or COVID-19.
Brazil
Other health risks in Brazil
Malaria
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Malaria is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease that affects the liver and red blood cells. It can cause fever, chills, fatigue, anaemia, and serious complications if untreated. In Brazil, the risk is highest in the Amazon region and other remote, forested areas. Travellers heading to these zones may need antimalarial medication, which your travel doctor can prescribe depending on your travel route and health profile. Bite avoidance is essential, especially from dusk to dawn, including the use of repellents, protective clothing, and screened accommodation.
Dengue
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Dengue is widespread in many parts of Brazil, particularly in urban and tropical regions where Aedes mosquitoes thrive. The illness typically causes fever, exhaustion, muscle pain, joint aches, and rashes. Most first-time infections improve within one to two weeks, but a repeat infection can lead to severe dengue, a potentially life-threatening condition involving bleeding and very low blood pressure. Because the mosquitoes that spread dengue are daytime biters, protective measures are essential for all travellers, such as using repellent, wearing covered clothing, and eliminating standing water.
Rabies
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Australia is one of the few parts of the world which is free of . While animals in Australia do not carry rabies, Brazil reports cases in dogs, bats and certain land animals. Prevention centres on avoiding contact with unfamiliar animals, particularly in forested or rural areas. Consider speaking with a travel doctor about rabies vaccination before you go, especially if your trip involves wildlife, remote travel, or work with animals. If an exposure occurs in Brazil, seek immediate medical care for post-exposure treatment. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms emerge, making prompt attention critical.
Gastroenteritis
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Travellers in Brazil may develop gastroenteritis from consuming food or water contaminated with bacteria like campylobacter, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli or salmonella. Symptoms often show up 24–72 hours after exposure and can include diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain.
Rehydration is the key to treatment, and oral rehydration solutions are recommended to replace fluids and electrolytes. While the illness usually resolves within a few days, it’s important to seek medical attention if symptoms persist, become severe, or prevent effective hydration. Antibiotics are sometimes used for prolonged or high-risk cases. Preventing infection relies on good hand hygiene and avoiding food or drinks that may not be safe.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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A high degree of caution when travelling to Brazil is advised by the Australian government’s Smartraveller website, which can be referred to for up to date information. There have been increased reports of violent crime and methanol poisoning, and care should be taken when going out, especially during busy periods.
Altitude Sickness
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Parts of Brazil are at high altitude, including a variety of mountains and cities, which can lead to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) as some travellers ascend rapidly. Symptoms can include headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or a reduced appetite, and these often improve within 12 to 48 hours of resting without ascending further. More severe altitude related diseases can occur and are more common at greater elevations. These are less of a concern in Brazil as the highest altitude is 2,995 metres at Pico da Neblina.
To minimise your risk of AMS in Brazil’s high-altitude regions, ascend gradually and give your body time to adjust. Discuss your itinerary with your travel doctor to determine whether prescription medications for prevention or treatment would be helpful.
The CDC recommends three key safety principles for high-altitude travel:
1) Recognise early symptoms and take action.
2) Do not ascend to sleep at a higher elevation if any altitude sickness symptoms appear.
3) Descend immediately if symptoms worsen or fail to improve at the same altitude.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Travelling to Brazil often requires long-distance air travel, which can restrict leg movement and contribute to deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This condition occurs when reduced circulation allows blood to clot within the deep veins of the legs. Standing up regularly, stretching, and drinking adequate fluids during long travel periods can all help lower risk. Compression stockings may be recommended for those with elevated risk. Blood-thinning medication is commonly used for treatment.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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Brazil offers incredible diversity, but staying safe on the roads and during outdoor activities requires some preparation. Because traffic in major cities can be busy and unpredictable, anyone planning to ride a motorbike in Brazil should be confident in their riding ability, familiar with local traffic laws, and committed to wearing a certified helmet every time. Road conditions vary across the country, so before starting long-distance travel, choose a reputable transport provider and confirm that the vehicle has working seatbelts.
Hiking is popular in Brazil, from rainforest trails to coastal paths, and preparation goes a long way. Pack lightly, use sunscreen and insect repellent, and choose routes that match your fitness level. Good-quality broken-in footwear will help ensure a more comfortable trek. As in many tourist destinations, petty crime can occur in crowded areas, so keep your belongings secure and stay alert to your surroundings.
To help protect your trip, comprehensive travel insurance covering medical care, emergency evacuation, and theft is strongly recommended when travelling in Brazil.