There are no specific health risks associated with travel to Italy and you should be able to travel without special vaccinations and medications. Vaccinations for MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and tetanus-diphtheria may be recommended by your doctor if you are not up to date. An influenza vaccine is a good idea if you are travelling to Italy between November and April. Cases of bird flu were found in swans in southern Italy and Sicily, but there is a low risk of human infection; as a precaution all close contact with wild, caged and domestic birds should be avoided, and poultry and egg dishes should be cooked thoroughly.

Medical facilities in Italy are good but travel insurance is still recommended for non-EU citizens as medical attention can be expensive. EU citizens can make use of Italy's health services provided they have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Although it should be possible to get most medication in Italy, travel authorities always suggest that you take any prescribed medication that you require with you, in its original packaging, and with a signed and dated letter from your doctor explaining what it is and why you need it.

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Swine flu