Europe

There are confirmed cases of A (H1N1) (swine flu) in the Czech Republic.  The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.

The Form E111 is no longer valid.  You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (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 Czech nationals.  It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  For more general information see EHIC.

You should be aware that some hospitals in parts of the Czech Republic are not used to foreign visitors and may not be aware of the rights conferred on you by an EHIC.  If you have trouble, please contact the British Embassy in Prague (see Contact Details below).  You can also consult for more advice on healthcare in the Czech Republic.

If you intend to settle permanently in the Czech Republic you need to either obtain Form E106, which indicates that you have made full National Insurance contributions in the UK, or to arrange health insurance with a commercial company on arrival.  This will entitle you to health care other than the EHIC accident and emergency cover, which is not acceptable for longer-term health needs.

If you are planning to visit forested areas, you are advised to seek medical advice before you travel about inoculations for tick borne encephalitis.

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 Czech Republic 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 visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

On 27 June 2007, the State Veterinary Administration confirmed that a number of birds at a broiler farm in Norn, East Bohemia, had been infected with the H5N1 strain of the virus.  A further case of Avian Influenza was discovered in a swan in Lednice, South Moravia and on 20 June 2007, the virus was also discovered in poultry on a closed farm near Usti nad Orlici in the district of Pardubice, East Bohemia.  Health authorities set up cordons around the areas concerned and infected birds were culled.

 

In 2006 there were a number of deaths in swans and wild birds in the Czech Republic due to the H5N1 form of Avian Influenza.  All of the deaths occurred in the Hluboka region of Southern Bohemia and in Kostice, near Breclav, in South Moravia.  No human infections or deaths have been reported.

 

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low.  As a precaution you should 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 Avian and Pandemic Influenza.

The Czech authorities have reported a significant increase in the number of cases of the disease Hepatitis A, particularly in the Prague and Central Bohemia region, during 2008.  For advice on Hepatitis A and other health issues please consult National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).

Inoculation against this disease can be obtained from your GP and visitors are recommended to take sensible precautions as outlined in the NaTHNaC advice.