Bosnia and Herzegovina

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Bosnia and Herzegovina has been affected by the avian flu epizootic; yet no case of human transmission has been observed.
• Tuberculosis is rare in the country.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• Tap water is drinkable but diarrheic diseases are common.

FOOD SAFETY

• Gastric diseases are common among tourists who are not accustomed to local food or who do not take precautions.
• Whenever possible, favor bottled mineral water, without ice; avoid eating ice cream and sherbet.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked dishes, especially meat or fish. If possible, order hot dishes.
• Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before each meal.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• No specific immunization is required from travelers entering the country.
Systematically:
• Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.
• Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
• Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.



Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:
• Typhoid fever: if the stay is occurring in precarious hygiene condition. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
• Rabies: recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• Tick-borne encephalitis: for stays in rural areas or for hikers. The immunization is available for children at least one year old.
• Tuberculosis: in case of a long stay, it is recommended to have children immunized against tuberculosis as soon as they reach the age of one month, and against mumps, measles and rubella when they reach the age of nine months.

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Sarajevo
• Sarajevo State Hospital, Kranjcenviceva 12: phone + 387 71 664 724



Banja Luka
• Banja Luka Hospital: phone + 387 51 33 725 or + 387 51 38 111



Mostar
• Clinical Hospital Mostar, Kardinala Stepinca bb: phone + 387 88 313 155

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 93
• Police: 92
• Ambulances: 94

CLIMATE

• The climate is semi-continental in the north and Mediterranean in the southern part of the country.
• Summers are very warm. Winters are long and harsh in northern Bosnia, but milder in the south.
• When to go: between June and September.