Ukraine

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Ukraine has been affected by the avian flu epizootic, yet no case of human transmission has been observed.
• A recrudescence of cases of measles has been observed in some Ukrainian areas, particularly in Kiev.
• There is a risk of Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis; be particularly vigilant to ticks if you are in a wooded area.
• Ukraine is among the three European countries most hardly hit by the AIDS outbreak. HIV prevalence is increasing quickly among the population.
• Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• 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 thoroughly 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

Kiev
• American Medical Center, Berdychivska 1: phone + 380 44 213 9411, fax + 380 44 211 6557



Odessa
• Odessa Oblast Hospital, Ak. Zabolotnogo Street 26: phone + 380 48 255 0101, fax + 380 48 255 1024

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

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

CLIMATE

• The climate is temperate continental, under the influence of the Siberian anticyclone.
• Winter is harsh and snowy in northern and eastern Ukraine. It lasts roughly 4 months.
• Temperatures are milder along the Black sea coast (southern Ukraine).
• Autumn is sunny and mild.
• When to go: between June and September.