Europe

There are a good number of public and private sector hospitals and clinics throughout Cyprus. In general, the care and facilities in private hospitals and clinics are better than public hospitals, where standards are sometimes lower than those found in the UK.   If you do not have private medical insurance, please make sure you are taken to a state hospital (where emergency treatment for European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) holders is free), and not taken to a private clinic.

The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain an EHIC before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Cypriot nationals in public sector hospitals only.  Medical treatment received in private hospitals and clinics is not covered by the EHIC. You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. The EHIC is not valid in northern Cyprus and we advise all travellers to this part of the island to take out private medical insurance.  For more general information see EHIC.

 

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Cyprus and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should check the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel, or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

There are confirmed human case of A (H1N1) - Swine Flu in Cyprus including a small number of British nationals. You can check for updates on the number of cases and their locations through the World Health Organisation (WHO) website. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6.  You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu section on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk. 

One case of avian influenza in poultry was reported in northern Cyprus in January 2006.  However, there have been no further cases reported and no human infections.  The risk from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low, provided you avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

You should read this advice in conjunction with the Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed information.