Canada Embassy: 202-682-1740 Ottawa GMT -5 hrs

Entry Requirements:
Passport/Visa: Americans visiting Canada are required to carry proof of citizenship. Acceptable documents are (1) a passport; (2) an original birth certificate, or a notarized copy; (3) a voter’s registration card; (4) a Selective Service card; (5) a naturalization certificate; or (6) a baptismal certificate, for infants. A driver’s license is not accepted as proof of citizenship, but may be used to verify the other documents. Children under 16 must have written travel permission if not accompanied by parent or guardian. For further information, contact the Canadian Embassy in Washington at (202) 682-1770.
HIV Test: Not required.
Vaccinations: None required.
Telephone Country Code: 1

Embassies/Consulates: U.S. Embassy, Ottawa, 100 Wellington Street; Tel. (613) 238-5335. Canadian Embassy, 501 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001; Tel. (202) 682-1740.

Current Advisories & Health Risks:

Giardiasis: Occurs sporadically in wilderness areas. Rural streams, lakes, and ponds may be contaminated with the parasite. Campers and hikers should follow safe food and water guidelines in risk areas. Water filtration is usually adequate to prevent transmission of disease. To help prevent the spread of giardiasis, all campers should dispose of fecal material in a safe fashion.

Health Insurance: U.S. citizens visiting Canada should carry adequate health insurance coverage. Travelers over 65 are not covered by medicare in Canada, and supplemental travel insurance is recommended. See Ch.14 for listing of companies underwriting travel insurance.

Hepatitis B: There is a high carrier rate of the hepatitis B virus in the Inuit population in northern Canada. Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for healthcare workers and others who will have close contact with this population.

Insects: Blackflies and mosquitoes are a significant problem during the spring and summer months. Travelers to outdoor rural areas (especially campers, hikers, fishermen) are urged to have adequate protection against insects. Adequate protection consists of head nets, mosquito bed nets, a skin repellent containing deet, and permethrin-treated clothing.

Liver Fluke Disease: An outbreak of acute liver fluke disease caused by the consumption of parasite-contaminated raw fish (white sucker) caught in the Pembina River north of Montreal occurred in 1993. Symptomless human infection has been reported from Quebec to Saskatchewan, and on the eastern coast of Greenland. Fish that potentially carry the North American liver fluke parasite (Metorchis conjunctus ) include the longnose sucker, yellow perch, brooktrout, and fallfish.