| |
Special Precautions |
Certificate
Required? |
|
Yellow Fever |
Yes |
1 |
|
Cholera |
Yes |
2 |
|
Typhoid and
Polio |
Yes |
N/A |
|
Malaria |
No |
N/A |
1
: A yellow fever vaccination certificate
is required from travellers arriving within 6 days from infected areas
(children under 1 year are exempt.)
2 : Following
WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no
longer a condition of entry to Kazakhstan. However, cholera is a
serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date
advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions
should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its
effectiveness. See the Health appendix for further information.
Food & drink :
All water should be regarded as being a
potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or
making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk
is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Only eat
well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and
mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and
fruit peeled.
Other risks :
Hepatitis A, B and E occur. Diphtheria
outbreaks have been reported in the area. Giardiasis, echinococcosis,
typhus (tick-borne), Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, trechinellosis,
leishmaniasis and brucellosis can also occur. Foci of plague exist
although rare. There is some presence of Rabies. For those at high
risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are
bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information,
consult the Health appendix.
Note :
Foreign visitors (except nationals of CIS countries) staying in
Kazakhstan for longer than 3 months may be required to take an AIDS
test.
Health care :
There is a large network of hospitals,
emergency centres and pharmacies. The largest include the Central
Hospital, the Maternity and Childhood Institute Clinic and the Medical
Teaching Institute Clinic in Almaty, and the Spinal Centre and
Hospital of Rehabilitation Treatment in Karaganda. However, standards
within the public healthcare system have declined significantly since
the Soviet era. It is hard to ascertain the level of expertise of the
doctors, and visitors cannot rely on the availability of western
medicines. Medical insurance is strongly recommended and should
include medevac insurance. |
