Main health risks for Serbia

Diseases transmitted by insects or animals

Serbia has been affected by the avian flu epizootic, yet no case of human transmission has been observed.

There are cases of tick-borne encephalitis in wooded areas. It is an infection of central nervous system and may cause long-lasting or permanent neuropsychiatric relapses (10-20% of infected patients).

There are cases of animal rabies in the country.

So far this year, 157 people have sought medical attention for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. The disease was first identified in Kosovo in 1957 and has since caused the death of several dozen people. The virus is transmitted to human by infected ticks or direct handling of fresh carcasses of infected animals.

Diseases transmitted by food, water or through the environment

In Serbia, tap water is drinkable but diarrheic diseases are frequent among travelers who do not take precautions.

Diseases transmitted by contact with infected people

Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.