Medical Summary
The health risk information presented here is summarized from Shoreland Travax®, a decision-support tool used by health care providers to perform a detailed health risk analysis based on specific locations, individual travel styles, and traveler risk behaviors. Travax provides practitioners current, independently researched malaria risk and prevention recommendations in a map-based format that goes beyond the annual WHO and US CDC statements included here. Not included here are current reports from Travax of disease outbreaks or environmental events that may pose elevated risks to travelers’ health and safety. The Providers section of this site offers a directory of health care providers who utilize Shoreland Travax for travel health counseling. Learn more about the detailed reports and maps available from these practitioners (includes links to samples).
General Information
Brazil is a developing nation classified as upper middle income. Located in eastern South America (north of Paraguay and south of Venezuela), the climate is extremely diverse with classifications that range from humid temperate (no dry season) to humid equatorial (no dry season).
Vaccinations
Yellow Fever
See also: Library article for Yellow Fever
Vaccination is usually recommended if you’ll be traveling in areas where there is risk of yellow fever transmission.
- Requirement: No requirement for any traveler.
- Official Status: listed by WHO as a country where YF transmission risk is present.
Other Vaccines
Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies, or typhoid fever. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed.
Malaria
See also: Library article for Malaria
The following is current information as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
WHO—International Travel and Health (current online update, Country List)
(2020) Malaria risk due to P. vivax (84.3%), P. falciparum (15.7%) and mixed infections (0.5%) exists in most forested areas below 900 m within the nine states of the Amazon region (Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Maranhão, Mato Grosso [northern part], Pará [except Belém City], Rondônia, Roraima and Tocantins [western part]). Transmission intensity varies from one municipality to another and is higher in jungle-mining areas, in agricultural settlements, in indigenous areas, and in some peripheral urban areas of Cruzeiro do Sul, Manaus, and Pôrto Velho. Malaria also occurs on the periphery of large cities such as Boa Vista, Macapá, and Rio Branco. In the states outside the administrative region of Amazonas, the risk of malaria transmission is negligible or non-existent, but there is a residual risk of P. vivax transmission in Atlantic forest areas of the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo. Detailed information on the epidemiological situation of malaria in Brazil is available at https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/assuntos/saude-de-a-a-z-1/m/malaria.- Recommended prevention in P. vivax risk areas: B – Risk of P. vivax malaria only. Mosquito bite prevention plus chloroquine chemoprophylaxis. a
- Recommended prevention in P. falciparum risk areas: C – Risk of P. falciparum malaria, in combination with reported chloroquine and sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine resistance. Mosquito bite prevention plus atovaquone–proguanil or doxycycline or mefloquine chemoprophylaxis (select according to reported side effects and contraindications) a
aAlternatively, for travel to rural areas with low risk of malaria infection, mosquito bite prevention can be combined with stand–by emergency treatment (SBET).
WHO Country List footnote: When available, the date of the most recent update or confirmation is indicated in parentheses in the country list. If no date is indicated, the most recent update or confirmation was provided before 2013.
CDC—Health Information for International Travel (current online edition)
Areas with malaria: All areas of the states of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Rondonia, and Roraima. Also present in the states of Maranhão, Mato Grosso, and Para, but rare cases in their capital cities. Rare cases in the rural areas of the states of Espirito Santo, Goias, Mato Grosso do Sul, Piaui, and Tocantins. Rare cases in the rural forested areas of the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paolo. No malaria in the cities of Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, São Paolo, and none at Iguaçu Falls (see Map 2-06).- Drug resistance3 : Chloroquine.
- Malaria species: P. vivax 85%, P. falciparum 15%.
- Recommended chemoprophylaxis: States of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Rondonia, and Roraima. States of Maranhão, Mato Grosso, and Para (but not their capital cities): Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or tafenoquine.4 Areas with rare cases: None (practice mosquito avoidance).
3 Refers to P. falciparum malaria unless otherwise noted.
4 Primaquine and tafenoquine can cause hemolytic anemia in people with G6PD deficiency. Patients must be screened for G6PD deficiency before starting primaquine or tafenoquine. See Tafenoquine Approved for Malaria Prophylaxis and Treatment for more information.
Other Concerns
Travelers' Diarrhea
See also: Library article for Travelers' Diarrhea
Moderate risk exists throughout the country, including in deluxe accommodations. Community sanitation and food safety measures may be inadequate. Some itineraries (e.g., remote destinations, austere accommodations) and activities (e.g., ecotourism, eating street or local-market food) further increase risk.
Travelers should observe food and beverage precautions, which reduce the likelihood of illness.
Travelers should carry loperamide for self-treatment of diarrhea and, if risk is moderate to high, an antibiotic to add if diarrhea is severe. Consult a knowledgeable health care provider regarding which antibiotic is appropriate for you and most effective for your destination.
Other Food-Borne Illnesses
Precautions to prevent seafood poisoning may be needed.
Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases
Chagas' disease (American trypanosomiasis), chikungunya, dengue, leishmaniasis, mayaro virus, onchocerciasis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, West Nile virus, Zika may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.
Other Disease and Health Risks
Additional concerns include air pollution, anthrax disease, hantavirus, helminths, hepatitis C, leptospirosis, marine hazards, melioidosis, plague, schistosomiasis, sexually transmitted infections, snakebites, tuberculosis.
Consular Advice
The material below includes information from the US Department of State (DOS), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), as well as from additional open-source material. Standard safety precautions that apply to all international travel can be found in the Library article Safety and Security.
Consular Travel Advice
Due to ongoing security concerns, US (DOS) advises avoiding travel to areas within 150 km (93 mi) of all international land borders (except Iguaçu National Park and Pantanal Matogrossense National Park); favelas; and Brasília's federal districts of Ceilândia, Santa Maria, São Sebastião, and Paranoá. UK (FCO) has a more limited warning. Canada (GAC) and Australia (DFAT) have no current warnings.
Terrorism Risk
Low risk of attack by transnational domestic terrorist groups exists throughout the country, especially in areas bordering Colombia.
Crime
High risk of violent crime (armed robbery, home invasion, sexual assault, carjacking, and murder) and high risk of petty crime exist in Rio de Janeiro (including Corcovado Mountain hiking trails), São Paulo, Recife, Salvador, and other cities throughout the country; on beaches; on or near public transportation; and during large-scale events such as Carnival, sporting events, and international conferences.
Express kidnappings to force cash withdrawals at ATMs may occur in cities throughout the country.
Risk exists of robberies and/or assaults occurring after consuming intentionally drugged food or drink (use of dating apps may lead to increased risk); tourists are frequently targeted. Highest threat areas include Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, especially on Rua Augusta north of Paulista Avenue and in areas surrounding Estação da Luz metro station.
Civil Unrest
Protests and demonstrations frequently occur throughout the country, especially in São Paulo, and have the potential to turn violent without warning. Bystanders are at risk of harm from violence or from the response by authorities. Disruption to transportation, free movement, or the ability to carry out daily activities may occur.
Unsafe Areas
A dangerous security environment may exist in favelas and in areas bordering other countries. Piracy (involving commercial and private leisure vessels) may occur in coastal waters, especially off of the northeastern coast.
Water Safety
Rent water sports equipment from reputable operators. Scuba dive only with personnel certified by PADI or NAUI, and use equipment only from PADI- or NAUI-certified dive operators.
Transportation Safety
High risk of traffic-related injury or death exists. The road traffic death rate is 12 to 24 per 100,000 population. The rate is less than 10 in most high-income countries.
Airline Safety
The US Federal Aviation Administration has determined that the civil aviation authority of this country oversees its air carriers in accordance with minimum international safety standards.
Natural Disasters
The rainy season is from January through July in northern areas, April through July in northeastern areas, and November through March in southern areas. Floods, mudslides, and landslides may occur.
Wildfires occur during the dry season from May through September in central areas, including Brasília.
Consular Information
Selected Embassies or Consulates in Brazil
- United States: [+55] 61-3312-7000; br.usembassy.gov
- Canada: [+55] 61-3424-5400; brazil.gc.ca
- United Kingdom: [+55] 61-3329-2300; www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-brazil
- Australia: [+55] 61-3226-3111; brazil.embassy.gov.au
Brazil's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries
- In the U.S.: washington.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us
- In Canada: ottawa.itamaraty.gov.br/pt-br
- In the U.K.: londres.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us
- In Australia: camberra.itamaraty.gov.br/pt-br
Visa/HIV Testing
HIV testing is not required to obtain a tourist, work, or residence visa.
