Main health risks for Estonia

Diseases transmitted by insects or animals

Each summer, tick-borne encephalitis kills several persons. Tick-borne encephalitis is an infection of central nervous system and may cause long-lasting or permanent neuropsychiatric relapse (10-20% of infected patients).

There are cases of animal rabies (314 cases reported in 2004).

Diseases transmitted by food, water or through the environment

Diarrheic diseases are frequent in Estonia, among travelers who are not accustomed to local food or who do not take precautions.

Diseases transmitted by contact with infected people

The progression of the AIDS outbreak is preoccupying; the epidemic could expand out of the drug addicts community which was traditionally exposed. According to UNAIDS, the prevalence of HIV among adults (15-49) is estimated between 0.5% and 2.5%.

Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.