Kyrgyzstan Health Care and Vaccinations
| Title | Special precautions |
|---|---|
| Malaria | No |
| Diphtheria | Sometimes |
| Hepatitis A | Sometimes |
| Tetanus | Sometimes |
| Typhoid | Sometimes |
| Rabies | Sometimes |
| Yellow Fever | No |
Health Care
Healthcare facilities in Kyrgyzstan are limited by international standards, particularly outside major cities. Bishkek and Osh have the best medical services, including a small number of private clinics that cater to foreigners and offer higher standards of care. These clinics usually require payment upfront, so travel health insurance is strongly recommended.
Pharmacies are widely available in cities and towns, and many medications can be purchased without a prescription. However, availability may be limited in rural areas, and brand names may differ from those used elsewhere. Travellers with specific medical needs should bring an adequate supply of prescription medicines.
In serious cases, medical evacuation to another country may be necessary. Visitors should ensure their travel insurance covers evacuation and emergency treatment.
Food and Drink
Tap water in Kyrgyzstan is not considered safe to drink. Visitors should use bottled or properly filtered water for drinking and brushing teeth. Bottled water is widely available and inexpensive.
Food hygiene standards vary. Freshly cooked food from busy restaurants and cafés is generally safe, but care should be taken with street food, especially meat that has been sitting out. Unpasteurised dairy products are common in rural areas and should be avoided unless you are confident of their source.
Fruit and vegetables should be washed thoroughly or peeled, and ice in drinks should be avoided unless it is known to be made from purified water.
Other Risks
Altitude-related illness can affect travellers visiting high mountain areas, particularly above 2,500 metres (8,200ft). Symptoms include headaches, nausea and fatigue. Gradual acclimatisation and staying hydrated are important.
Road travel poses risks due to variable road conditions, livestock on highways and limited lighting outside cities. Winter travel can be especially hazardous because of snow and ice on mountain passes.
Earthquakes are possible, as Kyrgyzstan lies in a seismically active region, though major events are infrequent. Travellers should also take precautions against stray animals, as bites can pose a rabies risk in rural areas.
