Bulgaria

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• In February 2006, three cases of swans who had died of avian flu were reported in eastern Bulgaria. No contamination in domestic or industrial breedings has been reported since then.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• 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.
• Do not drink tap water and 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:
• 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.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years 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.
• Tick-borne encephalitis: for stays in rural areas or for hikers. The immunization is available for children at least one year old.
• Rabies: recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• 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

Sofia
• Gurguljat Center, Emergency Medical Center Pirogov, 21 Totleben Boulevard: phone + 359 2 952 05 00
• Gurguljat Center, Surgery Center, 30-20 April Street: phone + 359 2 954 9885
• Vita Médical Center, 14 Bunaja Street: phone + 359 2 943 4398
• Maternity Hospital Saint Lazar, 4 Simeonovsko Shose Boulevard: phone + 359 2 962 2005
• Faculty Hospital Saint Anna, Branch for Treatment of Foreigners, Mladost 1, 1 Academic Evgeni Street: phone + 359 2 75 361



Burgas
• District Hospital, 3 Stefan Stambolov Boulevard: phone + 359 056 810 574



Varna
• District Hospital, 75 Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard: phone + 359 052 655 913



Rousse
• Hospital, 2 Nezavisimost Street: phone + 359 082 887 324 or 887 216

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 160
• Police: 166
• Ambulances: 155

CLIMATE

• The climate is continental and varies depending on the altitude.
• Winter is harsh and snowy with frequent snowfalls in the mountains until May.
• Summers are hot and dry with occasional thunderstorms in the evening.
• Rainfalls are concentrated in spring and autumn.
• When to go: between May and September.