Dangers & Annoyances

Canada is a relatively safe place to live and travel, with crime rates generally lower than in the neighbouring US. Take the obvious, good-sense precautions to avoid being a victim of petty theft by keeping valuables concealed, both on your person and in your car, and avoiding walking alone through dubious areas.

However, in Canada you are more likely to get a bit of grief from Mother Nature, with blackflies and mosquitoes incessantly swarming you in the woods. Blackflies are at their worst from late May through the end of June, while mosquitoes can be a bother from early spring until early fall. Ticks are also an an issue.

Animals may be one of Canada's greatest assets, but they can also represent serious danger if you invade their turf. Do your research before you hit the camp grounds as you may encounter bears, mountain lions (also called 'cougars' or 'pumas') and elk. Elk, deer and moose also represent a problem when driving, especially at night in rural areas.

During winter, if the wind-chill factor is especially high, you'll need to wrap up against frostbite.

Local Health Conditions

Giardiasis

A parasitic infection of the small intestine. Symptoms may include nausea, bloating, cramps and diarrhea. To protect yourself from Giardia, avoid drinking directly from lakes, ponds, streams and rivers, which may be contaminated by animal or human feces. The infection can also be transmitted from person to person if proper hand washing is not performed. Giardiasis is easily diagnosed by a stool test and readily treated with antibiotics.

Rabies

A viral infection of the brain and spinal cord that is almost always fatal. The virus is carried in the saliva of infected animals and is typically transmitted through an animal bite, though contamination of any break in the skin with infected saliva may result in rabies. In Canada, most cases of human rabies are related to exposure to bats, but may also be contracted from raccoons, skunks, foxes and unvaccinated cats and dogs.

If there is any possibility, however small, that you have been exposed to rabies, you should seek preventative treatment. In particular, any contact with a bat should be discussed with health authorities, because bats have small teeth which may not leave obvious bite marks.

Lyme disease

Lyme Disease is a risk in wooded regions.  Lyme disease is transmitted by deer ticks, which are only 1-2 mm long. Most cases occur in the late spring and summer. The first symptom is usually an expanding red rash that is often pale in the centre, known as a bull's eye rash. However, in many cases, no rash is observed. Flu-like symptoms are common, including fever, headache, joint pains, body aches, and malaise. When the infection is treated promptly with an appropriate antibiotic, usually doxycycline or amoxicillin, the cure rate is high. Luckily, since the tick must be attached for 36 hours or more to transmit Lyme disease, most cases can be prevented by performing a thorough tick check after you've been outdoors.