Brazil health for couples: yellow fever, dengue and vaccines

Travelling to Brazil's Southeast and South as a couple calls for more health preparation than it seems: not out of fear, but because almost everything is solved by a timely medical appointment and a few simple habits. This guide gathers what the US CDC, the UK FCDO advisory and Brazil's Ministry of Health say about vaccines, mosquitoes, water, medical care and safer sex. It does not replace a travel-medicine consultation: take it to your doctor along with your itinerary.

Before you go: vaccines and timing

The CDC recommends keeping routine vaccines up to date, including MMR (measles), and highlights hepatitis A for unvaccinated travellers aged one and over and hepatitis B for those under 60. Yellow fever is recommended from nine months of age for travel to many states, including São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, although it is not an entry requirement. The FCDO advises booking an appointment at least eight weeks ahead. Brazil's Ministry of Health says the vaccine is a single lifetime dose since April 2017 and that the SUS offers it to the whole population; it also lists who should not be vaccinated: children under nine months, women breastfeeding babies under six months, people with severe egg allergy, people with HIV and a CD4 count below 350, those on chemotherapy or radiotherapy, with autoimmune diseases or on immunosuppressants. That list is one more reason to discuss it with your doctor rather than decide alone.

Dengue, chikungunya and Oropouche

The FCDO lists dengue, chikungunya and Oropouche among health risks. The CDC recommends long sleeves and trousers, repellent with 20% or more DEET (picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus also work), air-conditioned or screened rooms and permethrin-treated clothing (never on skin). The Ministry of Health describes dengue as a sudden high fever of 39 to 40 °C plus at least two of: headache, prostration, muscle or joint pain, pain behind the eyes. Warning signs usually appear between days 3 and 7, as the fever falls: severe abdominal pain, frequent vomiting, dizziness, breathing difficulty, bleeding or exhaustion. Seek care immediately if any appears, rest, drink fluids and do not self-medicate. The dengue vaccine entered the SUS on 21 December 2023 and the national calendar in February 2024; check the official site for current criteria.

Water, food and swimming

The CDC advises avoiding contaminated food and water, washing hands often and not swimming in unchlorinated fresh water because of schistosomiasis; also avoid floodwater and mud after heavy rain (leptospirosis). Wikivoyage notes that in Belo Horizonte mains water is treated but building tanks may fail, and that in Curitiba it is generally safe except in older buildings. For the sea, check the day's bathing report: Florianópolis and Balneário Camboriú publish one, and Lake Guaíba in Porto Alegre is polluted according to Wikivoyage.

Medical care and insurance

The FCDO warns that public hospitals are overcrowded in big cities and that private ones may refuse care unless you can prove you can pay or have insurance. Buy travel insurance with medical and evacuation cover and keep your insurer's number handy. Phone numbers: 192 for an ambulance, 193 for the fire brigade and 190 for the police.

Safer sex as a couple

The CDC recommends mpox vaccination for adults expecting activities such as new sexual partners or commercial sex venues. Beyond that the basics do not change just because you travel: a condom with every contact outside the couple, regular testing before and after the trip, clear talk about limits and sexual health, and no heavy drinking around important decisions. To understand access to tests, PEP and PrEP in Brazil, read our guide to sexual health in the SUS.

Sun and heat

The FCDO lists high UV levels as a risk. Use sunscreen and a hat and drink water; in the south-east the rainy season runs November to March, with humid heat.

Health packing checklist

Before you close the suitcase, run through what the sources mention: repellent with 20% or more DEET (or other approved options), light long-sleeved clothing, high-factor sunscreen because of the UV levels the FCDO cites, your personal medication with a prescription and in its original packaging, condoms that will not degrade in the heat, a digital copy of your insurance policy and the insurer's assistance number. Add a list of local numbers (190, 192 and 193) and your consulate's details. If you travel in the rainy season, November to March in the south-east, add quick-drying footwear and avoid floodwater and mud. Check your vaccine schedule well in advance: the FCDO recommends at least eight weeks.

What we do not know

This guide does not cover every city in detail. We found no official data on specific clinics for the lifestyle scene in Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Florianópolis, Porto Alegre or Balneário Camboriú, so we recommend none. Dengue vaccine criteria and yellow fever recommendation areas change: check the current official source.

Frequently asked questions

Is the yellow fever vaccine mandatory to enter? According to the CDC, it is not an entry requirement, but it is recommended for travel to many states.

When should I get vaccinated? The FCDO recommends an appointment at least eight weeks before.

What if I get bitten and have a fever? If you have a high fever and two typical symptoms, go to a health service immediately and do not self-medicate.

Sources: CDC (Brazil), FCDO (Brazil, health), Brazil's Ministry of Health (yellow fever and dengue), Wikivoyage.