South Asia

Kazakhstan (Republic of)

The Republic of Kazakhstan celebrated its tenth anniversary of independence in 2001. Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, but has a relatively small population of 15 million. In 2000, the Government of Kazakhstan completed its move to the new capital Astana. Kazakhstan's tourist facilities are not highly developed; the availability of goods and services is better than most neighboring countries, but not up to standards in North America and Western Europe. Internal travel and travel to neighboring countries, both by air and land, can be subject to delays due to infrastructure shortcomings and in winter weather.

CRIME: Common street crime is on the rise in 2001, according to Government of Kazakhstan statistics.

The "lost wallet" scam continues to be common in Kazakhstan. This swindle involves the discovery of a lost wallet in your presence. A first person will discover the wallet and offer to divide its contents with you. A second person will then appear, claim to be the owner of the wallet, and demand compensation for the missing money. When initially approached by the finder of the wallet, simply walk away. The perpetrators will eventually go looking for another target.

Another swindle has occurred at the Almaty International Airport. Men posing as "meet and greet" airport facilitators lure foreigners into cars purportedly to take them to their hotels. However, the driver takes the passengers to a secluded destination and then demands approximately $100 for gas to take the foreigner back to the city. All travelers should make prior arrangements with their contacts in Almaty for concrete identification upon arrival at the airport.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical care in Kazakhstan is limited and well below North American and Western European standards. Basic medical supplies, including disposable needles, anesthetics and antibiotics can be in short supply. Elderly travelers and those with pre-existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities. Travellers requiring prescription medications or specific brand-name medicines should bring sufficient supplies of medications and not rely on local availability.

Arthropodborne diseases:

• Japanese encephalitis
• Plague

We recommend:

• Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
• Usage og 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- and foodborne diseases:

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

Other diseases:

• Hepatitis B
• Rabies

Vaccination recommended:

• Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin
• Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
• Japanese encephalitis - only if you plan to visit rural areas for more than four weeks
• Typhoid fever - vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region
• 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.

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Updated 19-Jul-2003 • İtraveldoctorOnline 2001 • Disclaimer • webmaster

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