South Asia

The Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)

The Kyrgyz Republic (informally known as Kyrgyzstan) is a newly independent nation in Central Asia undergoing profound political and economic change. Tourist facilities are not highly developed, and many of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available.

CRIME: Travellers may exercise caution in urban areas of the Kyrgyz Republic due to the high rate of violent crimes against foreigners. Travellers should not take public transportation or walk after dark, and should be extremely cautious in or near hotels, bars, parks and all places that attract an expatriate clientele. The Kyrgyz Republic has a high rate of violent crime due to unemployment and an increase in the number of organized gangs.

Further, travellers should exercise caution in traveling to Bishkek from the Kazakh border crossing at Georgievka on the Bishkek-Almaty road. There are several reports of robbery of foreigners entering Kyrgyzstan by this route. Persons in plainclothes claiming to be police officers have stopped vehicles and robbed the occupants under the pretense of a search for contraband.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Basic medical supplies, including disposable needles, anesthetics, and antibiotics, are in short supply in the Kyrzgyz Republic. Elderly travellers and those with existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities.

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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