Pakistan

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Malaria is present in desertic and humid areas, particularly during the monsoon (from June to August). The whole country is malarial below 1 500 meters, outside main cities (the risk is low in Islamabad, where chemoprophylaxis is not necessary). The Sindh (Indus valley), Baluchistan and Penbdjab are highly malarial. Strains present in the country are widely resistant to chloroquine (level-3 resistance).
• Two epidemic spots of avian flu have been identified in February 2007 in poultry farms of the North-West Frontier Province (Charsada and Abbotabad), and two more in villages close to Islamabad.
• The climate allows the proliferation of mosquitoes and sandflies which may transmit dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and leishmaniosis.
• Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• Diarrheic diseases, including cholera, are frequent in the country.

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.
• 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.
• 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

Karachi
• The Aga Khan University Hospital Medical Centre, Stadium Road: phone + 92 21 493 0051, fax + 92 21 493 4294
• Liaquat National Hospital, Stadium Road: phone + 92 21 493 9612
• Clifton Medical Services: phone + 92 21 925 0051 / 582 2801
• O.M.I. (Orthopedic and Medical Institute): phone + 92 21 225 8075 or 225 6313/14



Islamabad
• Shifa International Hospital, Shifa International Hospital, Sector H-8/4: phone + 92 51 446801/32, fax + 92 51 446879
• Pakistan Institute of Medical Science: phone + 92 51 926 0229



Lahore
• Masood Hospital: phone + 92 42 588 1961
• Hameed Latif Hospital: phone + 92 42 586 2778/79
• Aadil Hospital, Main Boulevard, Defence Housing Authority, Lahore Cantt: phone + 92 42 667 2261-5/ 6667272-4, fax + 92 42 666 1216
• Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, 7-A Block R-3, M.A., Phase II, Johar Town, GPO Box 2072: phone + 92 42 518 0725/34, fax + 92 42 518 0755/20*

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 16
• Police: 15
• Ambulances: 115

CLIMATE

• During the dry and cool season, from October to February, temperatures are milder in the south of the country but nights remain cold.
• During the hot season (March to June), temperatures are blistering in southern and western Pakistan, and milder in northern mountains.
• The wet season (monsoon) lasts from June to September; it is marked by strong rains in the south and less important rains in the north.
• When to go: between June and September.