India

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• The risk of malaria is low in main cities (Delhi, Bombay), but can never be totally excluded, especially during the monsoon (June to September) which is favorable to mosquitoes. Risk is significantly in rural areas. According to the WHO, India is classified as zone 2 (medium resistance to chloroquine), except the State of Assam (zone 3, high resistance to chloroquine).
• The beginning of the monsoon has caused a recrudescence of viral fever cases due to mosquito bites in Kerala.
• Cases of dengue are on the increase in and around New Delhi.
• Several states have witnessed an upsurge in chikungunya cases in May-June 2008 (Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka).
• Since February 2006, India has been hit by the avian flu epizootic.However, only poultry cases have been detected (no human case).
• Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• Diarrhea is frequent in the country. In June 2008, health authorities have warned of an increase of cholera cases in Delhi.

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 (brands "Himalayan", "Pondicherry").
• Avoid drinking fresh fruit juices or lassi, or eating ice cream and sherbet.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked dishes, especially meat or fish. If possible, order hot dishes. Avoid eating fish or seafood in Delhi between the end of March and the beginning of October, due to heavy heat and risks of cold chain rupture.
• Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
• Wash your hands carefully before each meal.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• Travellers entering the country from an endemic area, or who have been to an endemic area less than 6 days before entering the country, are required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever.
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.
• Japanese encephalitis: for stays longer than a month in rural areas during the rain season. The immunization is available for children at least one year old.
• Meningitis: following several cases of bacterial meningitis in New Delhi, it may be useful to get immunized against meningitis. If you are not immunized, avoid public swimming pools and high-population-density areas.
• Recommended chemoprophylaxis against malaria: chloroquine and proguanil (commercial name: Savarine) or proguanil and atovaquone (commercial name : Malarone); for a trip to the state of Assam, mefloquine (commercial name: Lariam) or doxycycline (commercial name: Doxypalu).

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

New Delhi
• AApollo Hospital, Saritha Vihar, Delhi-Mathura Road, New Delhi 110 044: phone 269 25 801 or 268 23 583, fax 268 23 629
• Escorts Heart Inst. (cardiology), Okhla Road, New Delhi 65: phone 268 44 820, fax 268 32 605
• Holy Family Hospital, Oklha Road, New Delhi: phone 268 45 900/901
• Private Clinic, S-490 A, Greated Kailash-I, New Delhi 110 048: phone 264 60 625 ou 264 48 137
• Max Medcentre, N-110, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi 110 017: phone 264 99 870 or toll-free number 1 600 11 3000
  
  
  Kolkotta

• Dr. Udayan Sen (GP / cardiologist): phone 983 108 79 33 / 240 13 37 / 240 13 33
• Dr. Andraj Singh (GP), 42 bd Pard Mansions Street: phone 983 100 5000 / 29 29 22 or 29 13 29 / 24 04 154
• Dr. Santanu Chaterjee (GP), 11 Rupchand Mukherjee Lane: phone 983 10 667 40 / 249 23 23
• Dr. Gautam Gosh Karavana (GP), 10 Middleton St.: phone 983 00 34 999 / 449 1999



Bombay
• Dr. Satish Pai (GP), Lady Ratan Tata Medical Research Institute, M. Karve Road, Bombaby 200 020: cell phone 98 200 55 480, landline 2493 67 10 / 2492 31 43, email drpai123@rediffmail.com
• Dr. Koulsoum Houssein (GP), D-4 New Rising Sun Co-operative Housing Society, Juhu road, Bombay 400 049 : cell phone 98 928 56 009, landline + 22 2820 0303 ou 2610 6060, email hkoulsoum@yahoo.co.in
• Dr. Meraney (GP), 23 Rajat, Mount Pleasant Road, Malabar Hill, Bombay 400 006: phone + 22 2368 54 13
• Dr. Ananta Khosla (pediatrician): phone + 22 2649 54 52 / 2646 16 16 / 2642 37 77
• Dr. Manchanda (surgeon), Breach Candy Hospital: phone + 22 2363 36 51 or 2367 18 88 / 28 88 or 2366 77 88



Pondicherry
• Dr. Yves Byche (GP), rue Mission.
• Dr. Balassoupramanian (GP), Gingee Salai.
• Dr. Meena Shah (pediatrician), 50 rue Desbassins de Richemont, Pondicherry 1: phone 413 233 86 93
• Dr. Nallam (surgeon), 86 Eswarin Koil St, Pondicherry 1: phone 413 233 81 00

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 101
• Ambulances: 102
• Police: 100

CLIMATE

• In the North of the country (Ganges valley), summer begins in April and the weather turns extremely hot in May. Monsoon lasts from June until the end of September and causes pouring rains. Climate is hot and dry from November to March. In montainous areas, winters are bitter and summers mild.
• The center of India is arid. Winters, from November to March, are mild and dry. Heat becomes scorching in April and the monsoon lasts from June to September. Outside this period, rains are scarce and irregular.
• In the south, the climate is hot with only little temperature variations. In the southern extremity of the country, temperatures tend to increase. The western coast has a long rain season (5 to 6 months), with abundant precipitations. In the south-east and the extreme south of the country, monsoon lasts until November or even December. Typhoons may hit the eastern coast of the country (bay of Bengal).
• When to go: between November and March.