Whether you are visiting the Himalayas or the seaside resorts of Goa, Central Asia has much to offer the traveller in terms of culture and natural beauty. Others may prefer to see the sights of the Five Stans Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Wherever you are going in Central Asia, follow our advice to ensure your health is well protected.
Which travel vaccines will I need when I go to Central Asia?
For your trip to Central Asia, it’s best to get a tailored recommendation from a travel health professional. This is because every traveller and every trip is different. The recommended vaccines for a business trip to Sri Lanka are very different to the vaccines that are recommended for visiting friends and family in Bangladesh, and they will be different again to the vaccines recommended for a trekking holiday in Bhutan.
To get the best vaccine recommendations for your trip, make an appointment with Canadian Travel Clinics.
Some of the vaccines that might be recommended for a trip to Central Asia include hepatitis A and typhoid. Some travellers would benefit from a hepatitis B shot, while other travellers will need boosters for tetanus or meningococcal meningitis.
How do I get vaccinated for my trip to Central Asia?
At your travel health appointment with Canadian Travel Clinics, we can administer some of the vaccines for your trip. Certain vaccines need to be given in spaced doses – if you need one of those, we will invite you to return at a later date for subsequent doses.
Should I get a rabies shot when going to Central Asia?
Rabies is endemic in parts of Central Asia. Rabies is a fatal disease contracted from the bite of an infected animal. When in an area where rabies is endemic, you should get any animal bite assessed by a healthcare professional, even if you have been vaccinated against rabies.
People who are vaccinated against rabies will still need treatment if they are bitten by an infected animal, but the vaccine’s protection means they have longer to get to a medical centre.
Some travellers get a rabies shot for peace of mind, particularly if they are visiting a remote area and they know they might be a few days from medical help. At your travel health appointment in our Calgary travel health clinic, we can discuss your options and help you to make a decision about getting vaccinated against rabies before your expedition in Central Asia.
Is tick-borne encephalitis a risk in Central Asia?
Some travellers may be exposed to tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) while in Central Asia, including Kazakhstan. People travelling to work in forestry or agriculture, or anyone who will be hiking or camping in wild country may have the TBE vaccine recommended to them.
What health risks are there in Central Asia?
Travellers to central Asia should familiarize themselves with food and water safety.
They should also know about steps they can take to avoid being bitten by insects and mosquitoes as these are vectors for some diseases that cannot be prevented by vaccine, for example, dengue fever.
At your travel health appointment, we can also talk you through the steps you can take to avoid accidents and stay safe in the sun.
In some countries, mainly those in the Himalayas including Nepal and Bhutan, you may be visiting a region at high altitude. There are some extra health risks at altitude, and travellers should familiarize themselves with the symptoms of acute mountain sickness.
Whatever health risks you’ll be facing on your trip abroad, we can help you to protect yourself.