Europe

There are confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) - Swine Flu in Slovakia (source: The Slovak Ministry of Health). You can check for updates on the situation in Slovakia through the Office of Public Health of the Slovak Republic at www.uvzsr.sk or by calling the Ministry of Health Helpline on (421) (2) 59373 122 (Slovak only). The Slovak Ministry of Health has advised that unless the patient's situation is severe enough to require hospitalisation, they will be required to remain in home quarantine for a period of 7-10 days. Patients with flu symptoms are being told to get in touch with their GP by telephone. There is currently no exit/entry screening in place at airports, nor are there any plans to introduce this in the near future. The Slovak government has adopted additional flu prevention measures to reflect the flu outbreak in neighbouring Ukraine. These include the closing of two border-crossings for pedestrians in Velka Slemence and Ubla and the introduction of selective medical checks of passengers arriving from Ukraine through other border crossings along the Slovak-Ukrainian border.  A quarantine centre has also been opened at the Cierna nad Tisou border crossing.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6.  The  WHO website at: www.who.int/ has further details.  You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. Check Swine Flu for further information. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.

Medical facilities in Slovakia are variable.  The standard of doctors is generally very good. Medical equipment is constantly being improved.  However, many hospitals are showing a lack of maintenance.  Possibly the greatest problem with medical facilities in Slovakia is the language.  Many receptionists and nurses do not speak English.

The Form E111 is no longer valid.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 Slovakian 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.

Tick-borne encephalitis is common in Slovakia.  You should seek advice if you are planning to visit forested areas in the summer months.

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 Slovakia were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at less than 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Slovakia 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 (Bird Flu)

 

There have been no further reports of H5N1 infection since two dead wild birds were found in the Bratislava region in February 2006.  There have also been no human infections or deaths reported.

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; 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.