Italy
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before your trip to Italy, scheduling a travel health consultation at least six to eight weeks before departure is strongly recommended. A travel doctor can review your vaccination history, ensure routine immunisations are current, and discuss destination‑specific health advice based on your itinerary. Whether you plan to explore bustling cities, hike in rural hillsides, or ski in the Alps, personalised guidance helps you prepare for common travel health issues and manage long‑haul flight risks. Even close to departure, a last‑minute appointment can still offer useful advice.
Comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical treatment, hospitalisation, and emergency evacuation is essential, as healthcare in Italy can be expensive for visitors without insurance.
Insect avoidance
In some regions of Italy, mosquitoes can transmit diseases and ticks can transmit tick-borne encephalitis or Lyme diseases, particularly in rural, forested, or lakeside regions from spring through autumn. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, while ticks are often found in tall grass and wooded areas. Travellers should apply insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin to exposed skin, wear long sleeves, trousers, and closed shoes, and consider treating clothing with permethrin. Staying in accommodation with screens or air-conditioning can reduce exposure, and regular tick checks after outdoor activities are recommended to prevent bites.
Food and water hygiene
Italy is renowned for its rich culinary heritage, from fresh pasta and cheeses to seafood and artisanal pastries. While food safety standards are generally high, travellers should still take sensible precautions to avoid gastrointestinal illness. Wash hands thoroughly before eating, and use alcohol-based sanitiser when handwashing facilities are unavailable. Choose foods that are freshly prepared, thoroughly cooked, and served hot. Fruits and vegetables are safest when peeled or washed with safe water. Tap water in most Italian cities is considered safe to drink, though bottled water is often preferred in smaller towns or rural areas. Avoid ice made from untreated water and be cautious with street food or buffet-style dining to reduce the risk of travellers’ diarrhoea.
Rabies prevention
Rabies in Italy is extremely uncommon, with only occasional cases reported in wild animals such as bats. Domestic dogs are almost always vaccinated, and human cases are very rare. For most travellers exploring cities, cultural sites, or rural areas, the risk of exposure is minimal. Avoiding contact with wild or unfamiliar animals remains the best precaution. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is generally only advised for those who may spend extended periods outdoors in remote regions, work with animals, or have limited access to medical care. Any bite, scratch, or saliva exposure from a potentially infected animal requires immediate medical attention.