Switzerland

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Switzerland has been affected by the avian flu epizootic; yet no case of human transmission has been observed.

FOOD SAFETY

• There are no specific recommendations for a trip in Switzerland.

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 B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.



Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:
• 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.
• Tick-borne encephalitis: for stays in rural areas or for hikers. The immunization is available for children at least one year old.

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Geneva
• Hôpital de la Tour, 3 Avenue J.D. Maillard: phone + 41 22 780 01 11, fax + 41 22 780 05 83



Zurich
• UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Rämistrasse 100: phone + 41 44 255 11 11



Berne
• Inselspital Academic Health Centre, International Service Line: phone + 41 31 632 27 07, fax + 41 31 632 04 02

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 118
• Police: 117
• Ambulances: 144

CLIMATE

• Switzerland is a mountainous country, which has a varied semi-continental climate, with oceanic and sometimes mediterranean influences.
• Winters are cold, summers hot. Rainfalls occur regularly all year long.
• In high alpine areas, temperatures are usually low, whereas they are higher in the northern part of the country, less high, which knows hot summers.
• When to go: between May and September.