Brazil Healthcare and Money – aGoodDir International Directory

Health care

Vaccinations

	Vaccination needed	receipt required
Eat Drink
malaria	4	–
Typhoid & Polio	3	no
cholera	2
yellow fever	1

Overview

The medical care in the country, as far as the larger cities are concerned, can be compared with that in Europe. In rural areas, however, it is often problematic in terms of technology, equipment and/or hygiene. Doctors who speak German, French or English can be found in all major cities. On request, the local German diplomatic missions will provide lists of the German and English-speaking doctors known to them. The main hospital in São Paulo is the Hospital das Clinicas. Medical treatment costs are high. Travel health insurance and reliable travel repatriation insurance are strongly recommended. Check indexdotcom for more information.

Notes vaccinations

[1] A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is currently not required when entering Europe. An international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required for travelers older than 9 months from Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Regardless of the official vaccination regulations, a yellow fever vaccination is recommended by the WHO for all travelers to Brazil. A list of yellow fever endemic areas can be found at www.who.int. [2] A certificate of vaccination against cholera is not required for entry, but there is a risk of infection. Since the effectiveness of the vaccination is disputed, it is advisable to seek medical advice in good time before you travel. The infection areas are in the states of Alagoas, Bahia, Paraíba, Pernambuco and Sergipe. [3] Typhoid occurs. Vaccination is recommended for backpacking and long-term stays. [4] The less dangerous form of malaria Plasmodium vivax and the more dangerous form Plasmodium falciparum predominate. There are far more infections with Plasmodium vivax than with Plasmodium falciparum. The less common form Plasmodium falciparum is highly resistant to chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine. The vaccine mefloquine is recommended. Malaria protection is also required year-round in most forested areas below 900 m. There is a high risk of malaria in Amapà, Amazonas, Maranhao (W), Mato Grosso (N), Parà (except Belèm City), Tocantins (W) and the outskirts of the Cities Porto Velho, Boa Vista,

Food and drink

Water for drinking, brushing your teeth, and making ice cubes should either be boiled or otherwise sterilized, or purchased packaged. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. Outside of urban areas, milk is generally unpasteurized and should be boiled. Process dry and canned milk only with sterile water. Products made from unboiled milk should be avoided. Meat or fish dishes should only be eaten well cooked and served hot. It is best to avoid eating pork, mayonnaise and lettuce. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled.

Other risks

The standard vaccinations for children and adults recommended by the Robert Koch Institute (including against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, measles, rubella, pneumococci, poliomyelitis and influenza) should be refreshed before the trip if necessary. Schistosomiasis pathogens are found in some ponds and rivers. Focal occurrence in the north and east, in the Mato Grosso and Amazon basins. Swimming and wading in inland waters should therefore be avoided. Well maintained swimming pools with chlorinated water are safe. Chikungunya is found in some states (rural areas) of Brazil. Adequate protection against mosquitoes is therefore recommended. During the summer, especially in southern Brazil, especially in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, new outbreaks of dengue fever are to be expected again. In the north there is a year-round risk; the states of Ceara, Bahia, Maranhao, Paraiba, Pernambuco and Piaui are particularly affected. Pay attention to protection against carrier mosquitoes that are active during the day and at night. Filariasis caused by insects occurs sporadically across the country. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur. A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended. Vaccination against hepatitis B should be given during longer stays and close contact with the local population, as well as for children and young people in general. Occurrence of hepatitis B mainly in the Amazon basin. HIV/AIDS is a danger for all who take risks of infection: Unprotected sexual contacts, unclean syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a significant health risk. Leishmaniasis occurs nationwide, but especially in the coastal region. An insect repellent is also recommended here. Epidemic outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis occur primarily in the slums of the eastern cities. To protect yourself, you should get vaccinated. Rabies occurs nationwide. In the states of Maranhão and Pará, flying foxes (“vampires”) are the carriers, but dogs, cats, forest animals and bats are also carriers. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. The Zika virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, joint pain and conjunctivitis. The infection often goes unnoticed or only has mild symptoms. The isolated deaths documented so far were mainly related to other pre-existing conditions. The Federal Foreign Office advises pregnant women against non-essential travel to areas with current Zika outbreaks because the virus can cause microcephaly in the unborn child. There is neither a vaccination nor a medicinal prophylaxis. Consistent compliance with personal mosquito protection measures is recommended. Due to strong currents and some dangerous fish species, you should observe the bathing ban (red flag) and the instructions of the locals.

Health certificate

A health certificate and a negative HIV test in German and Portuguese are required for a work permit.

Money

Currency

1 Brazilian real = 100 centavos. Currency code: R$, BRL (ISO code). Banknotes come in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 BRL; Coins in denominations of 1 BRL and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 centavos. The banknote 1 BRL is no longer printed, but is still valid. In some shops, however, it is no longer accepted as a means of payment. 1 centavo coins are hardly in circulation anymore.

Credit cards

Most international credit cards are accepted everywhere in Brazil. American Express, Mastercard, Diners Club and Visa are widely accepted, Eurocard is less common. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card. Hotels, restaurants, shops, travel agencies and car rental companies accept credit cards.

ATMs

Bank cards The Girocard (formerly EC card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol. Since withdrawing cash from ATMs with a bank card does not always work without restrictions, travelers should have an alternative source of money, such as a credit card, in addition to their bank customer card. Further information from banks and credit institutes. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey. In addition, it is pointed out that travelers should not withdraw cash from ATMs on the street. It is safer to withdraw cash from ATMs in banks and shopping malls. When withdrawing money from ATMs, travelers should always be aware of devices that criminals use to copy the secret code and bank card.

Travelers cheques

Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are rarely available in Austria. Traveller’s checks can be cashed in banks in major cities in Brazil. Traveller’s checks should be made out in US dollars.

Bank opening hours

Mon-Fri 10am-4pm.

Foreign exchange regulations

The import and export of local currency and foreign currency is unlimited; electronic declaration obligation for amounts of the equivalent of BRL 10,000 or more.

Currency Exchange

Almost all banks, exchange offices, travel agencies and authorized hotels exchange travelers checks and foreign currencies. There are ATMs in major cities where you can withdraw cash in local currency. As a precaution, however, you should withdraw cash at the airport with a credit card or carry traveler’s checks (see Traveller’s Cheques) with you.