Switzerland

Have a safe trip with travel vaccines and advice from medical professionals.

Travel health and safety for Switzerland 🇨🇭

Switzerland is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, particularly its majestic mountains and pristine lakes. It’s also celebrated for its delicious cheese and chocolate, and its precise timepieces. Furthermore, Switzerland is known for its multicultural cities, rich history, and high-quality living standards.

People visit Switzerland for a multitude of reasons, including its stunning natural beauty, diverse outdoor activities, rich culture, and delicious cuisine. The country offers a unique blend of alpine landscapes, historic towns, and modern cities, making it an attractive destination for both nature lovers and culture enthusiasts. Popular destinations in the country include Zurich, Bern, Geneva, Interlaken, etc.

Throughout the country, a high level of medical care – comparable to that in other industrialized countries, is available. Access to both private and public hospitals is readily available. Despite this, it is important to take routine health precautions and be prepared with adequate travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and treatment.

Travel Immunizations for Switzerland

What vaccines do I need for Switzerland? Get all the information and vaccinations you need to minimize travel health risks.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus can cause liver disease, and in rare cases, liver failure and death.

Can be spread by fecal-oral transmission, consuming contaminated food or water, or close, personal contact with an infected person.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and joint pain.
In Switzerland, low risk exists and is presumed to have widespread distribution. Vaccination for certain high-risk populations is recommended.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that targets the liver and may cause chronic infections.

Its primary mode of transmission is through direct blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through unprotected sex or sharing needles.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting and joint pain.
In Switzerland, low risk exists and is presumed to have widespread distribution. Vaccination for certain high-risk populations is recommended. All travellers should observe safe-sex practices and blood/bodily fluid precautions.

Tick-borne encephalitis

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a risk in some areas of this destination. It is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is spread to humans by the bite of infected ticks or occasionally when unpasteurized milk products are consumed.

Travellers to areas where TBE is found may be at higher risk during April to November, and the risk is highest for people who hike or camp in forested areas.
The vaccine for TBE is not available in Canada. It may be available in the destination you are travelling to.

Rabies

Rabies is a devastating viral infection transmitted through animal bites.

Symptoms may initially include fever, headache, and discomfort at the bite site, progressing to more severe neurological symptoms. Rabies is fatal if it is not treated before symptoms develop.
Rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.
In Switzerland, risk primarily exists from bats. Pre-exposure preventative measures are recommended for all travelers likely to have contact with bats. All travellers should observe animal bite precautions.

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.

Health Canada strongly advises travelers ensure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including:

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Guards against the varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)

Protects against three different bacterial infections.

Flu (Influenza)

Vaccination against seasonal influenza strains is essential.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Provides immunity against all three diseases in one shot.

Polio

Essential for guarding against the poliovirus.

Shingles

Offers protection against a viral infection that causes painful rashes.

COVID-19

The ongoing pandemic necessitates adherence to vaccination guidelines and preventive measures.

Meningococcal

Protects against serious bacterial infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis.

Switzerland Concerns / Health Canada Recommendations

Traveler’s diarrhea

Most common illness for travelers, from consuming contaminated food & water

Minimal risk exists throughout Switzerland. Risk for viral gastroenteritis (e.g. Norovirus) may be elevated based on seasons, traveler itinerary, and or/level of community transmission).
Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, bloating.
Azithromycin, the first-line antibiotic against bacterial travelers diarrhea, is available by prescription for self-treatment if symptoms develop. This can be obtained in your Travel Medicine consultation.

Safe food and water precautions

Eating or drinking unsafe food or water, or swimming in contaminated water can make you sick while traveling. Take precautions by following these tips:

Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it (only eat food that is prepared safely)
Avoid, if possible, getting water in your eyes, mouth, or nose when swimming in freshwater (like streams, lakes, or canals), especially after heavy rain or flooding – the water might look clean but can still be contaminated
Don’t swallow water when bathing, showering, swimming in pools, or using hot tubs

Tick and insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by bites from infected ticks and insects like mosquitoes, fleas, or flies. To protect yourself from bites:

Use an approved bug spray (insect repellent) on exposed skin
Wear light-coloured, loose clothing made of tightly woven materials like nylon or polyester
Wear socks and closed-toe shoes
Sleep under mosquito netting if you’re outdoors or staying in places that aren’t fully enclosed
Do a full body tick check on yourself, your children, your gear, and any pets you’re travelling with when you return from outdoor activities

Animal precautions

Some infections can spread directly from animals to people, like rabies or bird flu (avian influenza). Others don’t spread directly from animals but can infect people who visit areas animals have contaminated with their droppings or body fluids. Certain activities can increase your chances of coming into contact with animals, their droppings, or their body fluids, like:

Traveling in rural or forested areas
Camping, hiking, or visiting caves
Visiting places where live animals are sold or killed for food, like wet markets

To reduce your risk of getting sick:

Avoid contact with animals like stray dogs, livestock (such as pigs and cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats.
Stay away from places where animal waste can build up, such as caves
Avoid eating undercooked meat

Person-to-person infections

When traveling, you can reduce your risk of getting or spreading respiratory infections, like the flu or COVID-19, by:

Staying at your accommodation and limiting contact with others if you’re sick
Wearing a well-fitting mask, especially if you’re sick and need to be around others, and when you’re at large indoor events or in crowded settings, like sporting events, concerts, and airports
Cleaning your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands

Sexually transmissible infections

These infections include chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, mpox, etc. To lower your risk:

Get vaccinated against mpox if you’re eligible
Practice safer sex methods including using a barrier protection during sexual activity, like condoms and dental dams.

Over the Counter Medications for Travel to Switzerland

Pain Relief

Medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) can be helpful for managing headaches, muscle pain, or fever.

Anti-Diarrheal Medications

It’s advisable to carry over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (e.g., Imodium) to treat mild cases of traveler’s diarrhea. However, it’s important to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if diarrhea persists or worsens.

Antacids

Antacids like Tums or Pepto-Bismol can provide relief from indigestion or heartburn, which can sometimes occur when trying new foods or experiencing changes in diet during travel.

Allergy Medications

If you have known allergies, carrying antihistamines like cetirizine (e.g., Reactine) or diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) can help manage allergic reactions to environmental allergens or insect bites.

Motion Sickness Medications

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider carrying medication like dimenhydrinate (e.g., Gravol) to alleviate symptoms during long journeys or when traveling by car, train, or boat.

Sun Protection

It is essential to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF, wear hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing.

Medical Services and Facilities in Switzerland

Health care in Switzerland is excellent. It is available throughout the country.
Medical and hospital costs are much higher than in Canada. Immediate payment is usually required.
Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Consular Assistance Switzerland

Bern - Embassy of Canada

Street Address: Kirchenfeldstrasse 88, CH-3005 Bern, Switzerland

Telephone: 41 (31) 357 3200

Email: bernconsular@international.gc.ca

Website: https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/switzerland-suisse/bern-berne.aspx?lang=eng

Geneva - Permanent Mission of Canada to the Office of the United Nations

Street Address: 5, de l’Ariana Avenue, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland

Telephone: 919-92-00

Email: genev-consular@international.gc.ca

Website: https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/switzerland-suisse/geneva-geneve.aspx?lang=eng

Emergency Services

In case of emergency, dial:

For all emergencies: 112
Police: 117
Medical assistance: 144
Firefighters: 118
REGA Swiss Air Rescue: 1414
Roadside assistance: 140

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We know how hard it can be for Canadians to get the healthcare they need, when they need it. That’s why Rockdoc is on a mission to help Canadians navigate healthcare. We have decades of experience providing emergent, urgent, and continuing healthcare services and solutions – meeting and exceeding the standard of care for our patients and our communities.

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CEO and Chief Medical Officer
MD CCFP, FCFP, EM-SEM

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Associate Medical Director
MD CCFP-EM CTH®

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Medical Operations Manager
RN, BSN