Greece : Travel Health

WARNING! This information is out-dated and likely to be inaccurate!

Researching Travel Plans

Please note that this health information about Greece may be out-of-date. Always research the current health conditions and issues in any region you plan to visit prior to departure.

Infectious Diseases and Medical Concerns for Greece

The following medical diseases or health concerns are more common in travel to Greece (compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World):

• travelers’ diarrhea
• cholera
• Escherichia coli diarrhea
• hepatitis A
• typhoid fever
• Insect born diseases
• parasitic diseases
• plague - risk for travelers is small
• toxoplasmosis
• hepatitis B
• Lyme disease
• Brucellosis - avoid unpasteurised dairy products

More Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for Greece

The following health concerns or diseases are more commonly found in Greece compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:

• motor vehicle trauma - wear seatbelts and avoid night driving

Less Common Diseases and Health Concerns for Greece

The following health concerns or medical diseases are less commonly found in Greece compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:

• tick borne encephalitis

Uncommon or Rare Diseases and Medical Concerns for Greece

These medical diseases or health concerns are uncommon or rare in Greece:

• yellow fever - no risk although vaccination certificate may be required if coming from an infected area
• malaria - no current risk

Vaccinations for Travel to Greece

The following medical vaccinations are desirable or helpful for travel to Greece to prevent contagious diseases in Greece:

• hepatitis A - or immune globulin (IG)
• hepatitis B - If you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment.
• As needed, booster doses for tetanus, diphtheria

Preventions or Health Precautions for Travel to Greece

Any health risk of travel to Greece may be reduced by the following precautionary health measures when visiting Greece:

• Never eat undercooked ground beef and poultry, raw eggs, and unpasteurized dairy products - risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease [nvCJD]
• high rate of motor vehicle trauma - avoid night driving and wear seatbelts
• mosquito bite prevention
• insect bite protection
• avoid drinking non-treated water - only drink bottled or canned water
• eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself
• to prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
• always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
• don’t eat food purchased from street vendors
• don’t drink beverages with ice
• don’t share needles with anyone
• don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague - risk for travelers is small)
• use sunblock and take sunglasses and a hat
• Earthquakes can occur - take care and heed local precautions

Other Relevant Issues for Travel to Greece

The following may be issues relevant to travel to Greece:

• high level medical care where facilities are comparable to other industrialised countries is available throughout the country
• those intending to work in the sex industry will be tested for HIV