Question 1

Why do I need to plan ahead before travelling?

Accepted Answer

It's important to think about how you'll travel, where you'll be staying, who you'll be travelling with and what you'll be doing throughout your trip.
Thinking about all of these things before you go will help to prevent any injuries, new conditions or illnesses that could affect a pregnancy or harm a developing baby if you become pregnant. Plan ahead, starting from the time you leave your doorstep to the time that you return home. Include any stopovers that happen during your trip.

Talk with your health care provider about any health conditions you have to make sure that you can manage your health while you're away from home.  Make sure that you have a good supply of any prescribed medicines that you need and a little bit extra in case there are delays. Remember to take your MedList with you.

There may also be other health and safety risks (including diseases and health conditions) that you need to think about. This could be based on climate or other conditions at the location that you're travelling to.

Depending on the risks, consider:

 	immunizations that may be needed
 	COVID-19
 	Government of Canada Health and Safety outside Canada including travel health notices
 	medication to prevent malaria, illnesses affecting your stomach or gut, and other illnesses.
 	protection from insect bites day and night (e.g., bed nets) to help prevent infections such as zika, malaria and yellow fever
 	other actions to help prevent illness or disease (e.g., taking precautions with food and water to avoid getting sick).

Pregnancy may increase your risk for infection or illness, or make an illness worse. The infection or illness may harm a developing baby. If you're planning a pregnancy, it’s important to get advice from your health care provider at least 6 weeks before you travel out of the country. This gives you time to prepare. You may need to think about delaying travel or taking actions to protect yourself.

If you're travelling out of country and need travel immunization help, talk with a health care provider at a private travel health clinic, your doctor, or your pharmacist.

To learn more about staying healthy travelling while pregnant, visit Government of Canada-Travelling While Pregnant

Question 2

What is Zika?

Accepted Answer

Zika is a virus is that is carried by infected mosquitoes. The species of mosquitoes that transmit the virus are found in warmer climates. Countries or areas affected by Zika virus are reported in travel health notices updated by the Government of Canada.
Zika virus can be spread by:

 	a bite from an infected mosquito
 	sexual contact with someone infected by the virus
 	an infected pregnant person to their developing baby
 	people who are infected that donate cells, blood, sperm, tissue or other organs

Since there is no vaccine to prevent Zika virus or medication to treat the Zika virus infection, it is important to protect yourself if you’re planning a pregnancy.

For more information about zika virus, including how it is spread, how to stay safe, planning a pregnancy and effects on a developing baby, visit the Government of Canada's site

Question 3

Where can I get more information about travel health?

Accepted Answer

For information about travel outside Canada, visit the Government of Canada’s travel outside Canada page. 

Visit Travel Advice and Advisories for travel information by destination and COVID-19 Travel page for general information about COVID-19 and travel.

Talk with your health care provider, call Health Link at 811 or contact a private travel health clinic.

Travel Safety

Why do I need to plan ahead before travelling?

What is Zika?

Where can I get more information about travel health?

What is My To-Do List?