Norway See also: Svalbard and Jan Mayen (Norway) Welcome to the NaTHNaC Country Information page. The information on this page should be used as part of a comprehensive pre-travel health consultation. Ideally this should be scheduled at least six weeks prior to travel. All travellers should have adequate travel health insurance.
Contents On this page: Recent Clinical Updates General Health Risks Vaccine Preventable Risks Non-Vaccine Preventable Risks Country Specific Links: NaTHNaC Outbreak Surveillance Foreign and Commonwealth Office (including information on security, safety and natural disasters) View Disclaimer
Recent Clinical Updates Clinical Updates provide information which may result in a change in travel health advice or practice. Recent Clinical Updates for this country are listed below: 28 February 2014: Zika virus in French Polynesia, New Caledonia and an imported case in Norway View a full list of Clinical Updates for this country.
General Health Risks Some health risks apply to travellers to all countries. Please see below for a list of important health information sheets. A full list of information sheets is available through the Health Information Sheets link on the left hand side of the page.
Health Professionals
Travellers
Food and Water-Borne Diseases
Food and Water-Borne Diseases
Insect Bite Avoidance
Insect Bite Avoidance
Personal Safety During Travel
Personal Safety During Travel
Sun Protection
Sun Protection
HIV and sexually transmitted infections
Sexually transmitted infections and travel
Natural Disasters - Advice for relief workers and other travellers to areas affected by natural disasters
Travel to Areas of Disasters and Conflicts
Vaccine Preventable Risks Travellers should be up to date with routinely recommended vaccinations according to the UK schedule: NHS Immunisation Information Department of Health Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (Green book)
Yellow Fever
YELLOW FEVER There is no risk of yellow fever in this country and there are no certificate requirements under International Health Regulations (2005).
Additional Risks The diseases below may be a risk in all or part of the country and are presented alphabetically: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Tetanus, Tick-borne encephalitis
HEPATITIS A Hepatitis A is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the liver. A map showing the global areas at risk for hepatitis A can be found here (102 KB GIF)
Risk assessment Epidemiology - Hepatitis A is known to occur in this country although the risk to most travellers is considered to be low. Exposure - Hepatitis A is transmitted through contaminated food and water. Travellers who will have access to safe food and water are at low risk. Those at higher risk include travellers visiting friends and relatives, long stay travellers, and those visiting areas of poor sanitation.
Risk management Travellers should practice strict food, water and personal hygiene precautions. Vaccine may be given to travellers whose planned activities put them at higher risk of exposure (see above). Because hepatitis A vaccine is well tolerated and affords long-lasting protection, it may be given to all previously unvaccinated travellers. Vaccine should also be given to those with chronic liver disease or haemophilia, men who have sex with men, injecting drug users and those at occupational risk.
Resources Travellers
Health Professionals NaTHNaC hepatitis A
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NaTHNaC health Information Sheet on Hepatitis A
Department of Health: Immunisation against infectious disease (Green Book) - Hepatitis A
NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Prevention of Food and Water-Borne Diseases
NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Prevention of Food and Water-Borne Diseases
HEPATITIS B Hepatitis B is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the liver and may lead to chronic complications.
Risk assessment Epidemiology - Less than 2% of the population in this country is a carrier of hepatitis B virus (low endemicity). Exposure - Hepatitis B is transmitted via infected blood or bodily fluids. Travellers may be exposed when receiving medical or dental treatment, via direct contact between open skin lesions, or if participating in risk behaviour such as needle sharing, unprotected sex or contact
sports. Healthcare workers are at higher risk.
Risk management Travellers should avoid contact with blood or bodily fluids. Where contact is unavoidable, appropriate protective precautions should be taken. A sterile medical kit should be carried. Most travellers are at low risk. Vaccine should be given to adult and child travellers at risk due to the nature of their activities or occupation (see above). Vaccine should also be given to those with chronic kidney failure, liver disease or haemophilia, injecting drug users, men who have sex with men and individuals who change sexual partners frequently.
Resources Health Professionals
Travellers
NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Hepatitis B
NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Hepatitis B
Department of Health Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (Green Book)
RABIES Rabies is a neurological disease caused by viruses of the Lyssavirus genus.
Risk assessment Epidemiology - No cases of indigenous rabies have been confirmed in humans or animal species, including bats, from 2006-2010.
Risk management Travellers should avoid contact with wild or domestic animals. Infections other than rabies can be transmitted through bites. Pre-exposure vaccination is not recommended. Following a bite, wounds should be thoroughly cleansed and a medical assessment sought.
Resources Health Professionals
Travellers
NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Rabies
NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Rabies
Department of Health. Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (Green Book) World Health Organization (WHO) Rabnet
TETANUS Tetanus is caused by a toxin released from Clostridium tetani bacteria.
Risk assessment Epidemiology - Tetanus bacteria are found worldwide. Exposure - Tetanus bacteria are present in soil and manure and may be introduced through open wounds such as a puncture wound, burn or scratch.
Risk management Travellers should thoroughly clean all wounds and seek appropriate medical attention Travellers should have completed a primary vaccination course according to the UK schedule. A booster dose should be given to travellers whose last dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine was given more than 10 years ago, and who will not have ready access to medical care; even if they have received five doses previously.
Resources Health Professionals
Travellers
NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Tetanus
NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Tetanus
Department of Health Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (Green Book)
TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system.
Risk assessment Epidemiology - There is a risk of TBE in some areas of the country below 1,400m. The areas affected are along the southern coast: Aust-Agder: Risør Tvedestrand, Arendal, Grimstad and Lillesand Vest-Agder: Kristiansand, Søgne, Mandal, Lindesnes, Lyngdal, Farsund og Flekkefjord Telemark: Kragerø, Bamble, Porsgrunn Vestfold: Larvik, Sandefjord The transmission season varies, however, ticks are most active during early spring to late autumn (March to November). View a map of the affected areas (Courtesy of Norwegian Institute of Public Health) Exposure - TBE is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected Ixodes tick. Travellers are at risk via exposure to ticks during outdoor activities in areas of vegetation (gardens, parks, forest fringes, meadows and marshes) below 1,400m. Cases of TBE may also occur following ingestion of unpasteurised milk products.
Risk management Travellers should take tick bite avoidance measures during outdoor activities. Travellers should check themselves for ticks and be aware of effective tick removal methods. Travellers should not eat or drink unpasteurised milk products. TBE vaccine may be given to travellers whose planned activities put them at risk (see above).
Resources Health Professionals
Travellers
NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Tick-Borne Encephalitis
NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Tick-Borne Encephalitis
NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Insect Bite Avoidance
NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Insect Bite Avoidance
Department of Health Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (Green Book) International Scientific-Working Group on Tick-Borne Encephalitis
Non-Vaccine Preventable Risks This section details infectious disease risks for which there are no vaccines as well as some non-infectious disease risks. This is not an exhaustive list. Further information about infectious and non-infectious disease risks can be found on the NaTHNaC Health Information Sheets. Travellers should be aware that accidents and injuries are a cause of serious illness during travel.
Malaria
MALARIA There is no risk of malaria in this country.
Additional Risks
Health Information Sheets for Health Professionals
Health Information Sheets for Travellers
Disclaimer The travel health information contained in these pages is intended for health professionals who assess a patients travel health needs. This document is not a complete medical guide for travellers and as such travellers using this site should consult with a health professional for specific information related to your travel and medical history. While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the travel health information, NaTHNaC cannot accept any liability for injury, loss or damage arising in any respect of any statement contained therein.
For the purpose of these web pages the term "country" covers countries, territories and areas. Areas within a country may be shown separately where it is felt necessary in order to provide travel health information.
