Europe

There are confirmed humans case of the H1N1 virus - Swine Flu in Iceland (source: Chief Epidemiologist in Iceland). You can check for updates on the number of cases at the Directorate of Health website. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should monitor media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.

Healthcare facilities in Iceland are of a high western standard.  However, the distances between facilities can be great and whilst most towns have a health centre or basic hospital, serious cases generally necessitate ambulance/air transfer to hospital in either Reykjavik or Akureyri.

Under the terms of the EEA Regulation, British nationals are covered for emergency treatment whilst visiting Iceland.  The Form E111 is no longer valid.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 Icelandic 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.
 
Midges can be a problem to summer visitors in countryside areas close to lakes and rivers.

To obtain emergency medical assistance in Iceland, dial 112.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that less than 500 adults aged 15 or over in Iceland 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 Iceland 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.