Europe

There are reports of a confirmed human case of Swine Flu in Denmark. You can check for updates on the number of cases and their location through the Danish Health Board Website. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The World Health Organisation website has further details.  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 standard of healthcare is high.  A reciprocal healthcare agreement exists between UK and Denmark by which British nationals are covered for emergency treatment whilst visiting Denmark. 

 

The Form E111 is no longer valid.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 Danish nationals.  You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  For more general information see EHIC.

 

There are also agreements for the same EHIC facilities in the Faroe Islands and Greenland.

 

The telephone number for emergencies is 112.

 

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 4,800 adults aged 15 or over in Denmark were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.2% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  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 Denmark 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.
 

Avian Influenza

 

The Danish authorities have confirmed that there have been outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in wild birds and domestic birds in Denmark.  No human infections or deaths have been reported.  or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
 

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, which gives more detailed advice and information.