Estonia

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Each summer, tick-borne encephalitis kills several persons.
• The progression of AIDS epidemics is preoccupying; the epidemics could expand out of the drug addicts community which was traditionnally exposed.
• Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
• There are cases of animal rabies (314 cases reported in 2004).
• Diarrheic diseases are frequent in the country.

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 carefully 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 the condition 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

Tallinn
• Tallinn Central Hospital, Ravi 18: phone + 372 2 620 7040
• Mustamäe Hospital, J. Sutiste Tee 19: phone + 372 697 1093
• Estonian Cardio Center, EE0108 Suutiste, Tee 19: phone + 372 2 525 701, fax + 372 2 525 908
• Tallinn Central Children's Policlinic, Ravi Street 27: phone + 372 6 207 330

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen / ambulances: 112
• Police: 110

CLIMATE

• Climate is continental inland Estonia but attenuated on the coasts by the maritime influence of the Baltic.
• Summers are relatively hot, winters are cold, sometimes very cold (temperatures can drop as low as -30°C).
• Estonia is muddy in the spring when the snow melts.
• When to go: between June and September.