Kazakhstan

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Scarce cases of autochtonous malaria P. Vivax (benign malaria) have been reported in summertime, in the extreme south of the country.
• Kazakhsta is among the countries hit by the avian flu epizootic. Cases of avian flu have been reported on birds in the north of the country (Pavlodar, Akmola, Karaganda, Petropavlovsk regions). So far, there has been no case of human contamination.
• Cases of anthrax are regularly reported, cases of tuberculosis are on the rise and it is recommended to take precautions against ticks if you are staying in wooded areas (Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis).
• Cases of Crimean-Congo fever have been observed in the Zhambyl area, in the south of the country.
• Sandflies can transmit leishmaniosis.
• Cases of rabies have been reported.
• Diarrheic diseases are common.

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.
• 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

Almaty
• President's Hospital (for foreigners): phone + 7 3272 633 674
• Almaty First Aid Hospital, 93 Tole Bi Street: phone + 7 3272 627 071, fax + 7 3272 677 055
• Kazak Scientific Research Institute of Paediatrics and Children's Surgery, Al-Farabi Avenue 146: phone + 7 3272 488 121, fax + 7 3272 488 635

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 01
• Police: 02
• Medical emergencies / ambulances: 03

CLIMATE

• The climate is continental; summers are very hot (35-40°C) with warm nights (20°C) and winters are very cold (-10°C), even in the desert.
• The climate is globally dry, with low rainfalls in the desert but higher precipitations in the mountains.
• Violent thunderstorms occur in steppes.
• Autumn and spring are the most pleasant seasons to visit the country.
• When to go: between April and May or in September.