All water should be regarded as being a potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products should be safe for consumption, however, the incidence of communicable diseases among livestock is increasing because of a breakdown in vaccination programmes.

Hepatitis B and E, tick-borne encephalitis and tuberculosis may all occur. Visitors are advised to take precautions which may include vaccination. There may be a risk of rabies although there has been no reported incidence in animals or humans since 1997. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

A reciprocal agreement for urgent medical treatment exists with the UK, although proof of UK residence is required. Other nationals (and indeed UK travellers) are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance. Power shortages and disrupted medical supplies have undermined normal health services to such a degree that travellers would be well advised to consider a health insurance policy guaranteeing emergency evacuation in case of serious accident or illness, as medical insurance is not often valid within the country.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services and credit or debit cards will not be accepted; most will want treatment paid for in local currency. Travellers are also advised to take a supply of those medicines that they are likely to require (but check first that they may be legally imported) as there is a severe shortage of even the most basic medical supplies, such as disposable needles, anaesthetics and antibiotics.