World Country Guide

Food & drink
Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and advised. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other risks
Tick-borne encephalitis exists in rural forested areas during summer months. Immunisation against hepatitis A and B is sometimes advised.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For further information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care

European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland:
If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available – in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Each country has different rules about state medical provision. In some, treatment is free. In many countries you will have to pay part or all of the cost, and then claim a full or partial refund. The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised. Note that the EHIC replaces the Form E111, which will no longer be valid after 31 December 2005. Some restrictions apply, depending on your nationality.
All treatment that a doctor or dentist considers necessary is free of charge. However, travellers must make sure they are contracted to the public health service (the Health Insurance Fund). Prescriptions are issued through doctors and dispensed by pharmacies. Travellers will be asked to pay a share of the costs, which are not refundable. More information can be obtained from the Centrum mezistátních úhrad (Centre for International Reimbursements) (website: http://www.cmu.cz/languages/en.htm).