Health and Safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Visiting the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina is trouble-free but visitors should be aware of some threat from terrorism. A tourist is advised to register in the police 24 hours upon arrival at the city. Landmines are still a problem in the country particularly in isolated areas in the mountains and in the countryside. Avoid abandoned houses because somebody may still have it trapped with mines and also the edge of roads and paved areas. Though you might be safer in a city, still it is very dangerous to walk around without having an experienced tourist guide. Touching some war relics are not advisable because it still may explode.

Tensions between ethnic groups, like the Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, remains deep-seated that results into demonstrations. Avoiding large crowd and demonstrations is a good way to be safe. There are reports that nonpolitical violent street crimes is increasing in the country. Instead of pick pocketing and bag snatching, Bosnians uses weapons and mugs people around aggressively. Most pick pockets operate in pairs and cause some distraction methods to execute their craft. Avoid confrontations with locals regarding on traffic incidents or public disagreement because it may cause you some valuable things on your car or to your self.

Health issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina upraises because of limitation of medical care. Visitors are being advised to bring their own medicines or first aid kit. In Sarajevo, prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs are available but are limited. Supply of medicine may be out of stock for days to come or weeks. There are animal diseases that infect humans through consumption of undercooked meat, unpasteurized dairy products or dust from areas where there are infected animals have reported in some areas of the country. This disease is called Brucellosis or “Q Fever.” It is mostly on farm pets like sheep, cattle, and goats. Outbreaks of trichinosis have reported and it is in people who have eaten infected pork.