Author - Destinations Travel Clinic

By Sherilyn Houle (expanded with additional research and commentary by Destinations Travel Clinic)

Climate change is no longer a distant environmental issue — it’s an urgent global health concern that’s reshaping the landscape of infectious diseases and travel medicine. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and expanding habitats for insects are accelerating the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and Lyme disease.

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For pregnant individuals planning travel, especially internationally, assessing infectious disease risk is a top priority. Since the start of the pandemic, Destinations Travel Clinic (DTC) has consistently advised on the heightened dangers of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy, which include increased risks of severe illness, maternal and infant morbidity, and preterm birth.

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Traveling can disrupt your routine — new foods, long flights, time-zone changes, and unexpected delays all impact diabetes control. On this World Diabetes Day, Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic is here to make sure your trip is both safe and enjoyable.

Our travel-health team helps you plan for:

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As a premier travel health provider, Destinations Travel Clinic (DTC) is committed to protecting our travelers against common, yet severe, global health risks, including influenza. While the annual flu shot is a standard recommendation, new research is highlighting additional, significant protective benefits—particularly for our senior travelers (aged 65 and older).

A recent secondary analysis of the large Danish DANFLU-2 randomized trial, published in JAMA Network Open, found that the High-Dose Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (HD-IVV) may offer protection against serious cardiovascular complications, such as myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the sac around the heart), compared to the standard-dose vaccine (SD-IVV).

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Every year on November 11, Canadians pause to reflect on the courage and selflessness of the men and women who have served — and continue to serve — our nation in times of conflict and peace.

At Destinations Travel Clinic, we join our fellow Canadians in remembering the lives that were lost and the countless sacrifices made to protect our freedom, safety, and way of life.

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Warm weather and sunny skies mean more time outdoors — whether you’re relaxing in your backyard or jetting off on a tropical escape. But with the return of mosquito season comes a rise in the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, both in Ottawa and around the world.

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Being yourself is the greatest journey of all. On National Coming Out Day, we celebrate authenticity and inclusion — at home and around the world. Wherever your travels take you, we’re here to help keep you healthy and confident being you.

For policymakers & health leaders

• Harmonize Canada’s immunization schedule and connect provincial registries so data flows and gaps are visible in real time.
• Fund school-based catch-ups and outreach where coverage has slipped post-pandemic.
• Maintain and strengthen school-entry mandates to keep herd immunity above thresholds for hyper-contagious diseases like measles.

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What’s happening

Florida leaders announced plans to eliminate all state vaccine mandates, including requirements for school entry—an unprecedented break from decades of public-health practice. The proposal faces legislative hurdles but signals a dramatic shift with national implications. Medical groups warn it will invite outbreaks of measles, mumps, and polio.
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On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic acknowledges the inequities Indigenous patients face in healthcare across Canada.

We commit to supporting Indigenous-led, culturally safe practices in healthcare, including travel medicine and immunization services. Our goal is to create safe spaces for Indigenous patients and to ensure care models respect and adapt to the unique needs of Indigenous communities. We also support Indigenous representation and leadership in healthcare, working toward equitable and inclusive practices for all.
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In 2023, Canada experienced its worst wildfire season on record, with more than 6,000 fires burning nearly 150,000 square kilometres of land. The impacts went far beyond the forests—smoke from these fires spread across North America and even reached Europe, carrying dangerous fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that contributed to severe health consequences worldwide.

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The reality check
Canada has maintained measles elimination since 1998, but 2025 has brought the largest outbreak since elimination, with cases across multiple provinces. If transmission persists beyond October 2025, Canada risks losing its elimination status—an avoidable setback tied to immunity gaps.
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Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health is urging a national immunization schedule and interoperable vaccine registry, noting Ontario lags other provinces that have modernized records. A coordinated system helps close coverage gaps, speed outbreak response, and give families easy digital access to their records.

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At Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic, we are much more than just a travel vaccine clinic—we are also a comprehensive immunization clinic dedicated to protecting you and your family from both travel-related and everyday diseases.

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In a world where health information can feel overwhelming, separating fact from fiction is essential. Recent statements by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have sparked debate about the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines, leading to confusion and misinformation. At Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic, we believe in empowering our patients with accurate, evidence-based knowledge. Let’s take a closer look at the facts surrounding mRNA vaccines.
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Recent research shows that women who’ve had COVID-19 can experience vascular aging equivalent to about 5 years, with the effect being more pronounced in those with persistent symptoms. Vaccination offers protection, highlighting its importance.

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With wildfires, floods, and heatwaves becoming more frequent globally, travelers need to be prepared for emergencies. This World First Aid Day, themed “First Aid and Climate Change,” highlights the importance of first aid knowledge while on the move.
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Arthritis affects millions of Canadians, and for many, it can make travel feel more challenging. But with the right preparation, living with arthritis doesn’t have to mean giving up on new adventures. Travel health professionals can play an important role in helping patients plan ahead for comfort, safety, and wellness while abroad.

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In rural Uganda, a 70 year old man lies on a pillow-less bed in a room barely protected from the elements. The floor is littered with trash, the roof is corroded, and sunlight barely pierces through holes to illuminate his skeletal frame. Once facing the death sentence of HIV, this man has survived—but now faces the challenges of aging with limited support.

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As we head into the fall and winter season, respiratory viruses always return with greater intensity. This year, we have an important opportunity to protect ourselves and our loved ones—not just from the flu, but also from COVID-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

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Mpox, once considered a rare illness found only in remote parts of Africa, is spreading rapidly across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Scientists are raising alarms as the virus evolves, showing new patterns of transmission and risks that could impact not only Africa but the global community.

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On hot summer days, nothing beats cooling off with a refreshing swim. But have you ever wondered whether that sparkling blue water in the hotel or resort pool is as clean as it looks?

As infectious disease specialists remind us, swimming—especially in public pools and waterparks—comes with both benefits and risks. While pools promote relaxation, exercise, and social connection, they can also be sources of skin infections, gastrointestinal illness, and respiratory issues.
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On August 4, 2025, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed a rare case of New World screwworm in a Maryland resident who had recently traveled to El Salvador. This marks the first confirmed U.S. case tied to international travel in years. The patient has since recovered, and officials emphasized that no transmission occurred to others.

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The recent attack on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shocked the public health community—but for many healthcare professionals, it was not entirely surprising.

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Did you know that one of the greatest medical breakthroughs of the 20th century—penicillin—owes a debt to a moldy cantaloupe found in Peoria, Illinois? This isn’t just a quirky anecdote; it’s a testament to how accidental discoveries, combined with relentless scientific effort, can change the world. From a lab in London to the fields of World War II, this is the story of how a common fungus became a life-saving wonder drug.

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For many travellers, stepping into an air-conditioned airport, hotel room, or restaurant feels like pure relief after a sweltering day outside. But can that cool air actually make you sick?
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At Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic, we know that good travel medicine is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why we provide comprehensive, evidence-based travel consults tailored to you—your itinerary, your health status, and your destination-specific risks.

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Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has confirmed the first positive mosquito pool for West Nile virus (WNV) this year. While no human cases have been reported in Ottawa so far, the detection serves as a reminder: mosquito season is not over until the first hard frost.

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At Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic, we know many of our clients love poolside vacations — whether at sunny resorts, lakeside cottages, or family backyard pools. But relaxing by the water comes with serious safety responsibilities, especially when children are involved.

The Lifesaving Society is warning parents and caregivers to keep their phones out of their hands when supervising kids around water. Their message is urgent: there’s been a spike in drowning deaths this year, particularly in Ontario and Quebec.
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As more Canadians explore our beautiful country this summer, many are encountering an unexpected travel hazard—wildfire smoke and extreme heat. Here at Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic, we care deeply about your health, whether you’re exploring BC’s forests, camping in Northern Ontario, or road-tripping across the Prairies.

With smoke drifting across provinces and Toronto recently ranking among the most polluted major cities in the world due to poor air quality, it’s critical to know the risks—especially if you or a loved one is vulnerable.
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As World Hepatitis Day (July 28) approaches, it’s a good time to clear up common misconceptions about hepatitis—and to highlight how travellers can protect themselves before heading abroad. At Destinations Travel & Immunization Clinic, we often see individuals unaware of the risks hepatitis poses during international travel, particularly in regions where sanitation and water quality may be compromised.

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As temperatures rise and outdoor activities increase, clinics across Canada—including ours at Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic—see an uptick in animal bite-related visits. Whether it’s a nip from the family cat or a run-in with a stray dog, animal bites are more than just painful—they can carry serious infection risks, and in rare cases, the threat of rabies.
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As COVID-19 continues to evolve, new variants like XBB and JN.1 have become dominant. Vaccines must adapt—and so should we. At Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic, we help ensure travelers stay protected not just from jet lag and routine risks, but also from viruses that are very much still with us.
A recent U.S. study evaluated how effective the 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccines (monovalent XBB.1.5) were in preventing serious illness and medical visits. The study involved hundreds of thousands of adult patients from urgent care centers, emergency departments, and hospitals.
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As international travel surges back to pre-pandemic levels, protecting your health while abroad has never been more important. During the winter of 2024–2025 alone, more than 17 million Canadians ventured overseas. While reconnecting with the world is exciting, it also brings increased exposure to infectious diseases—many of which are entirely preventable with proper preparation.
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At Destinations Travel and Immunization Clinic, we often hear a common concern from thoughtful, caring parents: “Are children getting too many vaccines, too quickly?” It’s a fair question. In 1986, a child would receive 11 vaccine doses by age 18. Today, it’s 50 to 54 doses, depending on the child’s age, vaccine schedule, and flu shot timing. But here’s what most people (and even many health professionals) don’t realize:

Today’s vaccines actually expose your child’s immune system to far fewer antigens than vaccines did in the past.
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Celebrating Canadian Leaders in Vaccines, Travel & Tropical Medicine, Public Health, and Epidemiology

This Canada Day, Destinations Travel & Immunization Clinic salutes the remarkable Canadians whose groundbreaking work in vaccines, tropical medicine, public health, and epidemiology has saved countless lives—at home and around the globe. Their legacies inspire our own commitment to keeping you safe and healthy whenever you travel.
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