Georgia

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• There are cases of malaria transmission (benign form P. Vivax) in the south and the east of the country, between June and October. No chemoprophylaxis is needed, but it is recommended to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
• Health authorities have confirmed several cases of avian flu among wild birds in Adjaria. No human case has been reported.
• Avoid bathing (either in the Black sea or in freshwater) to avoid bacterial contamination and chemical pollution.
• There are cases of tuberculosis in Georgia, particularly in Abkhazia and Southern Ossetia. Refugees, displaced persons and prisoners are also particularly affected.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• Diarrheic diseases are frequent.

FOOD SAFETY

• Gastric diseases are common among tourists who are not accustomed to local food or who do not take precautions.
• Do not drink tap water and favor bottled mineral water, without ice ; avoid eating ice cream and sherbet.
• 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.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• No specific immunization is required from travelers entering the country.
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.
• Tick-borne encephalitis: for stays in rural areas or for hikers. The immunization is available for children at least one year old.
• 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.

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Tbilisi
• City Hospital No. 2, Constitution Street 2: phone + 995 32 954 423
• Frontline Medical Services, Arakishvili Street 2: phone + 995 32 25 19 48, fax + 995 32 25 19 52
• State Medical University Hospital, Kazbegi Street 19: phone + 995 32 951 227/959 845, fax + 995 32 290 492

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 01
• Police: 02
• Ambulances: 03

CLIMATE

• Along the Black Sea coast, the climate is subtropical, with hot, humid summers and mild winters.
• Inland, temperatures are cooler, with cold and snowy winters.
• Rainfalls are more important in the west than in the east.
• When to go: between April and October.