Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Italy…
Those locations all sound lovely this time of year don’t they? Besides the beautiful weather and stunning scenery – these are also popular locations because of their Carnival celebrations!
Yes, soon it will be Carnival season, with many beginning the Saturday before Lent and concluding with Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday”.
Many attend Carnival festivities for the chance to eat a wide variety of foods, taste an abundance of beverages and dance the night away.
While all that sounds fun, Carnival celebrations can have their downfalls. Venturing to these events can put you at risk for:
- Injuries from crime
- Unsafe food
- Excessive drinking
- Risky sex
- Heat-related illness
- Malaria and other tropical diseases (depending on the country)
Whether you are heading to Rio or New Orleans, keep the following in mind as you prepare for your destination:
- Do some research about the area you are visiting, paying attention to potential risks
- Consider visiting a travel medicine clinic at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to departure
- Make sure vaccinations are current for all those traveling
Now that we have you taken care of before you go, here are some things to remember once you have arrived.
- Stay safe. Americans can often be the targets of crime so keep your travel to the daytime hours, stay out of dangerous areas and always travel with a companion.
- Eat safe: These celebrations draw out the street vendors. Eat food that is cooked and served hot.
- Drink safe: Only drink fluids from sealed cans or bottles and be wary of ice, unless it has been made from bottled water.
- Drink smart: If you are going to enjoy an alcoholic beverage, do so in moderation. Drinking excessively can lead to risky behavior.
- Drink smart II: In many of these countries heat-related illnesses can occur, especially if you are coming from Nebraska! Make sure you are drinking plenty of bottled water, find shade when necessary and wear your sun screen.
Once you return home your work is not over. Watch your health and see your physician if:
- You develop a fever with a cough or sore throat and you have trouble breathing
- You develop a fever, chills, headache or flu-like symptoms, especially if you were in a country where malaria was present.
These types of celebrations can truly be fun and memorable so take the time to prepare properly before you go and enjoy – wisely – your time while there!
