South Asia

Georgia

A mountainous republic situated in the heart of the Caucasus range, Georgia has borders with Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia. Living conditions do not meet Western standards. Tourist facilities outside of Tbilisi, the capital, are not highly developed, and many of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available.

Georgia is facing a chronic energy crisis. During the winter months, frequent and prolonged power outages are common, especially outside of Tbilisi. The lack of lighting in public places even when electricity is available, heightens vulnerability to crime. (Please see the Crime Section below for details.)

CRIME: All travellers visiting Tbilisi are advised to be cautious while travelling during the day and not/not to walk alone after dark in the city. Incidents of pickpocketing, purse snatching, and cell phone theft remain common. After dark, persons are advised to use personal cars or taxis door-to-door. It is also recommended that people travel in pairs or in groups and exercise common sense security measures. Foreigners in Georgia, especially Westerners, continue to be victimized by violent muggings, home break-ins and other crimes. Most muggings have occurred on side streets near Tbilisi's city center, including areas off the main avenues in the Vake and Vera districts, and Chavchavadze and Rustaveli avenues. In many instances, the mugging victims have first been knocked unconscious by blows to the head.

Petty theft is particularly a problem on the Tbilisi metro system and in mini-vans used for public transit. While the security of overland travel in Georgia has improved, vehicular and rail traffic remains vulnerable to robbery. Travellers visiting or residing in Tbilisi should take the same precautions they would take in any major city where crime can be a problem. Westerners are often perceived as being rich and are therefore lucrative targets for crime.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care in Georgia is limited. There is a severe shortage of basic medical supplies, including disposable needles, anesthetics, and antibiotics. Elderly travellers and those with pre-existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities. Georgian doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment before rendering medical services.

Arthropodborne diseases:

• Malaria in some rural districts in the south-eastern part of the country

We recommend:

• Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
• Usage of insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing
• Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
• Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses

Water- or food borne diseases:

• Amoebiasis
• Brucellosis
• Cholera
• Echinococcosis
• ETEC (E.coli)
• Giardiasis
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis E
• Typhoid fever

Other diseases:

• Hepatitis B
• Rabies

Vaccination recommended:

• Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin
• Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
• Typhoid fever - if staying in remote areas
• Rabies - if risk for contact with wild or domestic animals
• A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within th last 10 years.
• Yellow fever when entering from a yellow fever endemic region.

Stay healthy:

• Wash hands often with soap and water.
• Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
• Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
• Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
• Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
• Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
• Do not travel at night
• Trafic accidents are frequent, be careful
• Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
• Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.
• Use chloroquine as malaria prophylaxis in risk areas

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Updated 01-May-2003 • İtraveldoctorOnline 2001 • Disclaimer • webmaster

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