Poland : Travel Health

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

Researching Travel Plans

Please note that this health information about Poland may be out-of-date.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 Poland

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

• tick borne encephalitis
• travelers’ diarrhea
• cholera
• Escherichia coli diarrhea
• hepatitis A
• typhoid fever
• Insect born diseases
• parasitic diseases
• plague - risk for travelers is small
• toxoplasmosis
• HIV
• AIDS
• hepatitis B
• Lyme disease

More Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for Poland

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

• motor vehicle trauma - wear seatbelts and avoid night driving
• exaccerbation of respiratory diseases including asthma
• bronchitis and allergies from high levels of air pollution in some areas

Less Common Diseases and Health Concerns for Poland

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

• tick-borne encephalitis

Uncommon or Rare Diseases and Medical Concerns for Poland

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

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

Vaccinations for Travel to Poland

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

• 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.
• rabies - if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation
• typhoid
• tetanus - booster dose as needed, diphtheria - booster dose as needed, measles - booster dose as needed,, polio

Preventions or Health Precautions for Travel to Poland

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

• 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)
• don’t swim in fresh water. Salt water is usually safer
• use sunblock and take sunglasses and a hat
• cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) have been isolated in cattle - decrease risk of human transmission by avoiding beef and beef products
• storms are common during the Summer months - take care and heed local precautions

Other Relevant Issues for Travel to Poland

The following may be issues relevant to travel to Poland:

• adequate medical care is available in Warsaw but not to the standards of industrialized countries
• medical care is substandard throughout the rest of the country