Georgia : Travel Health

WARNING! This information is out-dated and likely to be inaccurate!

Researching Travel Plans

Please note that this health information about Georgia may be out-of-date. Always research the current health conditions and issues in any region you plan to visit prior to departure.

Infectious Diseases and Medical Concerns for Georgia

The following medical diseases or health concerns are more common in travel to Georgia (compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World):

• malaria
• travelers’ diarrhea
• cholera
• Escherichia coli diarrhea
• hepatitis A
• typhoid fever
• Insect born diseases
• parasitic diseases
• plague - risk for travelers is small
• toxoplasmosis
• HIV
• AIDS
• hepatitis B
• Lyme disease
• diptheria - endemic to the region

More Common Diseases and Medical Concerns for Georgia

The following health concerns or diseases are more commonly found in Georgia compared to the USA and other areas of the Western World:

• motor vehicle trauma - wear seatbelts and avoid night driving

Epidemics for Georgia

The following health concerns, diseases or comments are related to epidemics in Georgia:

• diptheria - since 1994

Uncommon or Rare Diseases and Medical Concerns for Georgia

These medical diseases or health concerns are uncommon or rare in Georgia:

• yellow fever - no risk although vaccination certificate may be required if coming from an infected area

Vaccinations for Travel to Georgia

The following medical vaccinations are desirable or helpful for travel to Georgia to prevent contagious diseases in Georgia:

• hepatitis A - or immune globulin (IG)
• hepatitis B - If you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment.
• rabies - if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation
• typhoid
• tetanus - booster dose as needed, diphtheria - booster dose as needed, measles - booster dose as needed,, polio

Preventions or Health Precautions for Travel to Georgia

Any health risk of travel to Georgia may be reduced by the following precautionary health measures when visiting Georgia:

• Take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed
• high rate of motor vehicle trauma - avoid night driving and wear seatbelts
• mosquito bite prevention
• insect bite protection
• avoid drinking non-treated water - only drink bottled or canned water
• eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself
• to prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
• always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
• don’t eat food purchased from street vendors
• don’t drink beverages with ice
• don’t share needles with anyone
• don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague - risk for travelers is small)
• don’t swim in fresh water. Salt water is usually safer
• use sunblock and take sunglasses and a hat
• Earthquakes may occur - take care and heed local precautions
• mountainous conditions may change rapidly - utilize specialist guides
• heavy rainfall may cause severe flooding - take care and heed local precautions

Other Relevant Issues for Travel to Georgia

The following may be issues relevant to travel to Georgia:

• adequate medical care is available in T’bilisi but not to the standards of industrialized countries
• medical care is substandard throughout the rest of the country
• hospital beds are limited and modern technology is lacking
• those staying longer than 1 month will be tested for HIV
• there may be consular warnings against travel to the country
• check latest advice for updates