Iceland : Travel Health
WARNING! This information is out-dated and likely to be inaccurate!
Researching Travel Plans
Please note that this health information about Iceland may be out-of-date.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 Iceland
The following medical diseases or health concerns
are more common in travel to Iceland
(compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World):
More Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for Iceland
The following health concerns or diseases are more commonly found in Iceland
compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:
Uncommon or Rare Diseases and Medical Concerns for Iceland
These medical diseases or health concerns are uncommon or rare in Iceland:
- yellow fever - no risk although vaccination certificate may be required if coming from an infected area
- malaria - no current risk
Vaccinations for Travel to Iceland
The following medical vaccinations are desirable or helpful for travel to Iceland
to prevent contagious diseases in Iceland:
- 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.
- tetanus - booster does as needed
- diphtheria - booster does as needed
Preventions or Health Precautions for Travel to Iceland
Any health risk of travel to Iceland may be reduced by the
following precautionary health measures when visiting Iceland:
- 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
- keep feet clean and dry - help prevent parasitic infections
- do not go barefoot - help prevent parasitic infections
- always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
- although risk of infection is low, 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/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 may occur - take care and heed local precautions
- volcanic eruptions may occur - take care and heed local precautions
- violent storms may occur - take care and heed local precautions
- avalanches may occur - take care and heed local precautions
- nature attractions e.g. geysers, waterfalls, glaciers etc may not be well signed to indicate dangers, high winds and icy conditions can exacerbate these dangers - exercise extreme care when visiting these locations
Other Relevant Issues for Travel to Iceland
The following may be issues relevant to travel to Iceland:
- high level medical care where facilities are comparable to other industrialised countries is available in Rekjavik, adequate medical care is available in other areas but may not to the standards of industrialized countries because of remoteness
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