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For a good overview of health risks in Central Asia, read CDC's Health Information for Travelers to the Newly Independent States of the Former Soviet Union (NIS).
Accidents are the most common cause of death, serious injury and emergency repatriation among travellers abroad. Be aware of the risk of:
- Road accidents
- Swimming accidents
- Climbing accidents
- Household accidents
The risk of accidental injury in Tajikistan is increased by the fact that many of the safety precautions taken for granted in developed nations are not in place here.
For practical advice on preventing accidents when travelling, see TravelHealth.co.uk.
Altitude sickness is a risk when travelling above about 3000 m. The risk is increased by gaining altitude too quickly. Lack of oxygen can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and sleeplessness, and in extreme cases can lead to death.
The best way to avoid altitude sickness is to gain height slowly (preferably on foot), in order to give your body time to acclimatise. Plan to sleep lower than the maximum altitude you attain on any given day. If you begin to experience the symptoms above, go down - lose altitude as quickly as possible.
The following diseases are high risk in Tajikistan. Make sure that vaccinations are up to date and check what other precautions you should take.
Tetanus represents a universal risk to all as it occurs in all countries, being acquired from the soil through a contaminated cut or puncture wound. The characteristic symptoms are painful muscular contractions. Tetanus occurs almost exclusively in persons who have not been vaccinated.
Diptheria is a respiratory tract infection, which may be complicated by obstruction of breathing, caused by the formation of a thick grey membrane in the throat. Infection is spread by breathing in droplets in the air, which have been breathed out by infected people. Most cases occur in people who have not been vaccinated.
For further details of the risk in Tajikistan, read Diphtheria Outbreak: New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union.
Tuberculosis commonly is a lung infection although it can affect many parts of the body. TB is generally transmitted through the air, although it can also be transmitted through unpasteurised milk.
Hepatitus A is a viral liver infection, spread by the faecal-oral route. It can be easily spread from person to person or from eating contaminated foods. Some people can spread the disease without being affected by it themselves. The symptoms are fever, nausea and abdominal pain, followed within a few days by jaundice.
Hepatitus B is a serious viral liver infection. The incubation period between catching the infection and the onset of symptoms is from six weeks to six months. Hepatitis B infection occasionally leads to permanent liver damage and in some rare cases, liver cancer. Many people become long term carriers of the virus. The virus, which is highly infectious, is transmitted by contact with blood or other body fluids from an infected person. Risk factors include sexual intercourse, work in health-care fields (medical, dental, laboratory, etc.) which entail direct exposure to human blood, blood transfusions and having dental, medical, or other exposure to unsterilised needles (e.g., acupuncture, tattooing or injecting drugs).
Typhoid fever is a very serious condition affecting the whole body, also spread by the faecal-oral route. Some people can continue to carry the disease after the symptoms have disappeared. There have been several typhoid epidemics in Tajikistan since independence.
Malaria is a serious disease that is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms may include fever and flu-like illness, including chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Malaria may also cause anemia and jaundice.
Malaria is a risk in the southern border regions of Tajikistan during the summer months (June through October). There is a small risk in other low-lying areas including Dushanbe. Malaria risk in Tajikistan is predominantly due to P. vivax. Chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum is suspected in some areas.
For more information, see:
Rabies is almost always transmitted by animal bites which introduce the virus into wounds. The disease is most commonly carried by dogs, but other animals can also be carriers. Rabies is thought to be universally fatal. Therefore, bites or scratches from animals potentially infected with rabies must be taken very seriously.
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