Europe

The Form E111 is no longer valid.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 Romanian 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.

Rabies is common to Romania. Whilst it has largely been confined to the rural areas, you should be wary of, and try to avoid contact with, the numerous stray dogs whether in the country or the cities. If bitten, you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible. If visiting rural areas of Romania, you should consider having a course of rabies inoculations. There have also been a number of Hepatitis A cases in Romania.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 14,000 adults aged 15 or over in Romania were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% 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 Romania 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 and the UK Department of Health website at: www.dh.gov.uk.
 
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

There have been confirmed outbreaks of Avian Influenza in the Danube Delta, Transylvania and Bucharest.  The Romanian authorities have taken measures to contain the outbreaks including restricting access to affected areas.  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, which gives more detailed advice and information.

 

Influenza A (H1N1) (Swine Flu)

 

Travellers to Romania from the UK will be asked to fill in a health questionnaire on arrival. Those who refuse to fill in the form risk a 500 RON fine (c £100). If a traveller is confirmed with swine flu, the authorities will seek to inform the other passengers about the possibility of having been infected.

You may be required to undergo tests if you show flu-like symptoms. Infected people are currently being treated in hospital with anti-virals. Infected patients can currently expect to be isolated but the situation is changing rapidly.

Please see our Swine Flu page.