Health
There are no vaccinations required for travel to Slovakia.
No special precautions are necessary, except for visitors intending
to spend time in the forests, in which case a vaccination for
tick-borne encephalitis is recommended. Bird flu was first detected
in February 2006, and although there is little risk to travellers,
close contact with live birds should be avoided and all poultry
products well cooked as a precaution. No human deaths or infections
have been reported. Slovakia has a reciprocal health agreement with
most EU countries providing emergency health care on the same terms
as Slovak nationals. EU travellers should carry a European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC) with them. It is still recommended that
visitors take out comprehensive medical insurance, including
mountain evacuation. Hospitals are available in all major towns,
and pharmacies and clinics exist in the tourist areas and smaller
towns, but little English is spoken.
