Afghanistan

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Hygiene is preoccupying given the fact that most sewer systems have been destroyed. Health conditions are precarious, as most hospitals are out of work. Medical antennas exist among the ISAF forces but only treat emergencies.
• Cases of malaria are observed in Northern and Eastern provinces; strains are highly resistant to chloroquine (zone 3).
• Cutaneous leishmaniosis is endemic in the country; most hardly-hit areas are Jalalabad, Mazar-i-Sharif, Kandahar, Parwan, Balkh, Herat, Faizabad and Kabul (where an outbreak was identified in 2007).
• Poliomyelitis constitutes an important risk in Southern Afghanistan (provinces of Helmand, Oruzgan, Kandahar and Nangahar).
• Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• Diarrhea is very frequent. There is a high risk of cholera in the Samangan and Baghland provinces as well as the Amu Darya and Oxus valleys.
• There are cases of typhoid fever and leprosy in Kabul.
• Afghanistan is one of the countries hit by the avian flu epizootics.

FOOD SAFETY

• Water is not drinkable in any part of the country; always drink bottled water.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked dishes, especially meat or fish. If possible, order hot dishes.
• Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
• Wash your hands carefully before each meal. You are advised to bring in your luggage an alcohol solution to disinfect your hands as often as possible.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• It is required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever for travelers who are coming from an endemic area.
Systematically:
• Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
• Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.
Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:
• Typhoid fever: if the stay is occurring in precarious hygiene condition. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
• Rabies : recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• Tuberculosis : in case of a long stay, it is recommended to have children immunized against tuberculosis as soon as they reach the age of one month, and against mumps, measles and rubella when they reach the age of nine months.
• Recommended chemoprophylaxis against malaria: mefloquine (commercial name: Lariam) or doxycycline (commercial name: Doxypalu).

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

• ISAF German Hospital, Jalalabad Road: 436-7371
• Shino Zada Hospital (private), Macrorayan 4: 020-230-1433/34
• Cure International Hospital, Darulaman Road: 079-156-047 or card_em@hotmail.com
• DK-German Medical Diagnostic Center, Shar-e-naw, Ansary St. No. 3, House No. 192
• Imran Clinic : 070-275-437 (Dr.Farid Homayoun: 070-281-149/079-351-541)

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen / ambulances / police: 112

CLIMATE

• The climate is continental, with hot and dry summers (35 to 40°C) and cold winters (-40°C in some zones) with snow falls in altitude. Precipitations occur mainly in March and April.
• When to go: April-May or September-October.