Iran

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• There are cases of malaria transmission (benign form P. Vivax) in the north-west of the country during the summer. From May to November, there are also cases of malaria transmission (serious form P. Falciparum) in rural areas of the south and south-east of the country. Strains are highly resistant to chloroquine (zone 3).
• Iran has been hit by the avian flu epizootic (contaminated birds have been identified in the Mazandaran region) but there have not been any cases of human contamination so far.
• Leishmaniosis can be transmitted by sandflies; protect yourself carefully from all insects.
• Be vigilant to avoid scorpion bites.
• Protect yourself carefully from sun and heat to avoid burns and sunstrokes.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country. Avoid getting close to dogs because they can also transmit hydatidosis, a parasitosis due to dogs' intestinal worms. This disease causes liver and lungs cysts.
• Diarrheic diseases are frequent. Cholera outbreaks occur regularly during the summer, mainly around Tehran, Qom, Ispahan and Sistan-Baluchistan.

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

• Travellers entering the country from an endemic area 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.
• 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: for a trip to southern or south-eastern Iran, mefloquine (commercial name: Lariam) or doxycycline (commercial name: Doxypalu); elsewhere, chloroquine (commercial name: Nivaquine).

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Tehran
• Day General Hospital, Vali Asr Avenue, Tavanir: phone + 98 21 879 7111, fax + 98 21 879 7353
• Iamat Center, Physicians' Building 7th Floor, Keshvarz Boulevard: phone + 98 21 655 128



Esfahan
• Alzahra Hospital, Darvazeh Shiraz, Hezar Jarib Avenue: phone + 98 31 169 2180
• Chamran Hosptial (cardiology), Bozorgmehr bridge, 2nd Moshtagh Avenue: phone + 98 31 160 0961/5
• Feiz Hospital (ophthalmology), Qods Square, Moddares Avenue: phone + 98 31 145 2031/5



Shiraz
• Dena Hospital, Zargari Cross, Sattarkhan Square, Dena Street: phone + 98 71 162 8041/2
• Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Zand Avenue: phone + 98 71 151 0878

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Police: 110
• Ambulances: 115
• Firemen: 125

CLIMATE

• Iran has a continental climate with extreme seasonal variations of temperature.
• In most of the country, rainfall is generally restricted to winter and spring. Summers are typically warm to hot. Winters vary from mild and wet to extremely cold.
• On the coast, winters are mild and summers hot and humid. The interior plateau is much cooler in winter - sometimes very cold - and summers, though hot, are not as humid.
• Dry, dusty winds may create uncomfortable conditions.
• When to go: April-June or September-November.