Though no inoculations are required for travel in Bulgaria, embassies advise visitors to check that they've been vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A, and recommend that anybody planning to spend a lot of time walking in the mountains be inoculated against tickborne encephylitis. However, most visitors suffer nothing worse than diarrhoea or sunburn, so stock up on preparations like Diocalm before you leave home, and protect yourself with a good sunscreen. While salads and fresh fruit are quite safe, it's risky to eat grilled snacks in provincial restaurants with a slow turnover. Tap water is safe to drink in all parts of the country.
Minor complaints can be solved at a pharmacy or Apteka, but if you require a doctor (lekar) or dentist (zabolekar) head for the nearest Poliklinika or health centre, whose staff might speak English, German or French, and will almost certainly understand Russian. Urgent cases go to hospitals (bolnitsa) courtesy of the barza pomosht or ambulance service (150 in most towns, service free), and emergency treatment is free of charge although you must pay for medicines. Although Bulgarian physicians are well-trained and competent, the equipment, facilities, auxiliary staff and aftercare in hospitals falls well below the standards to which Westerners are accustomed, so it's best to fly home in the case of anything serious. Bear in mind that many pharmacies are not as widely stocked as at home, so you should bring with you a supply of razor blades, favoured brands of contraceptives and tampons, not to mention any specific medication that you require. Bulgaria has a strong tradition of herbal medicine (though none, curiously, of homeopathy), and most towns will have a Bilkova apteka or herbal pharmacy offering a wide range of natural remedies. However, you'll need to speak Bulgarian, or enlist the help of a native speaker, if you want to understand what you're being offered.
Medical resources for travellers
Websites
®http://health.yahoo.com Information on specific diseases and conditions, drugs and herbal remedies, as well as advice from health experts.
®www.istm.org The website of the International Society for Travel Medicine, with a full list of clinics specializing in international travel health.
®www.tripprep.com Travel Health Online provides an online-only comprehensive database of necessary vaccinations for most countries, as well as destination and medical service provider information.
©www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk UK NHS website carrying information about travel-related diseases and how to avoid them.
In the US and Canada
Canadian Society for International Health, 1 Nicholas St., Suite 1105, Ottawa, ON K1N 7B7 (613/241 5785, www.csih.org). Distributes a free pamphlet, "Health Information for Canadian Travellers", containing an extensive list of travel health centres in Canada.
Centers for Disease Control, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30333 (1 -800/311 3435 or 404 /639 3534, 1-888/232 3299, www.cdc.gov). Publishes outbreak warnings, suggested inoculations, precautions and other background information for travellers. Useful website plus International Travelers Hotline on T1-877/FYI-TRIP.
International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT), 417 Center St, Lewiston, NY 14092 (716/754 4883, www.sentex.net/~iamat) and 40 Regal Rd, Guelph, ON N1K1B5 (519/836 0102). A nonofit organization supported by donations, it can provide a list of English-speaking doctors in Bulgaria, climate charts and leaflets on various diseases and inoculations.
International SOS Assistance, Eight Neshaminy Interplex Suite 207,Trevose, USA 19053-6956 (1-800/523 8930, www.intsos.com). Members receive pre-trip medical referral info, as well as overseas emergency services designed to complement travel insurance coverage.
Travel Medicine 1 -800/872-8633, 1-413/ 584 6656, www.travmed.com. Sells first-aid kits, mosquito netting, water filters, reference books and other health-related travel products.
In Australia and New Zealand
Travellers' Medical and Vaccination Centres: 27-29 Gilbert Place, Adelaide (08/8212 7522). 1/170 Queen St, Auckland ( 09/373 3531). 5/247 Adelaide St, Brisbane ( 07/3221 9066). 5/8-10 Hobart Place, Canberra (02/6257 7156). 147 Armagh St, Christchurch (03/379 4000). 5 Westralia St, Darwin ( 08/8981 2907). 270 Sandy Bay Rd, Sandy Bay, Hobart (03/6223 7577). 2/393 Little Bourke St, Melbourne (03/9602 5788). 5 Mill St, Perth ( 08/9321 1977), plus branch in Fremantle. 7/428 George St, Sydney ( 02/9221 7133), plus branches in Chatswood and Parramatta. Shop 15, Grand Arcade, 14-16 Willis St, Wellington (04/473 0991).
In the UK and Ireland
British Airways Travel Clinics 28 regional clinics (call 01276/685040 for the nearest, or consult www.britishairways.com), with several in London (Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.15pm, Sat 10am-4pm), including 156 Regent St, London W1 (020/7439 9584, no appointment necessary). There are appointment-only branches at 101 Cheapside, London EC2 ( 020/7606 2977); and at the BA terminal in London's Victoria Station (020/7233 6661). All clinics offer vaccinations, tailored advice from an online database and a complete range of travel healthcare products.
Dun Laoghaire Medical Centre, 5 Northumberland Ave, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin (01/280 4996, ©280 5603). Advice on medical matters abroad.
Hospital for Tropical Diseases Travel Clinic, 2nd floor, Mortimer Market Centre, off Capper St, London WC1E 6AU (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm by appointment only; 020/7388 9600; a consultation costs £15 which is waived if you have your injections here). A recorded Health Line ( 09061/337733; 50p per min) gives hints on hygiene and illness prevention as well as listing appropriate immunizations.
