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General Map

General map of Russia

Medical Summary

The health risk information presented here is summarized from Shoreland Travax®, a decision-support tool used by health care providers to perform a detailed health risk analysis based on specific locations, individual travel styles, and traveler risk behaviors. Travax provides practitioners current, independently researched malaria risk and prevention recommendations in a map-based format that goes beyond the annual WHO and US CDC statements included here. Not included here are current reports from Travax of disease outbreaks or environmental events that may pose elevated risks to travelers’ health and safety. The Providers section of this site offers a directory of health care providers who utilize Shoreland Travax for travel health counseling. Learn more about the detailed reports and maps available from these practitioners (includes links to samples).

General Information

Russia is a developing nation classified as upper middle income. Located in northern Asia (along the Arctic and the North Pacific Oceans), the climate classifications range from humid cold (no dry season) to cold polar (tundra and ice), with cooler temperatures in some high-altitude areas.

Vaccinations

Routine vaccinations are essential due to a persistent rise of vaccine-preventable diseases (especially markedly high rates of diphtheria, pertussis, and measles) globally. Prior to travel, travelers should be up-to-date with the age-appropriate routine vaccinations recommended by their home country, which may include: COVID-19; H. influenzae type B (Hib); hepatitis A; hepatitis B; herpes zoster; human papillomavirus; influenza; measles, mumps, rubella; meningococcal; pneumococcal; polio; rotavirus; tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap preferred; consider an early pertussis booster for high-risk travelers); varicella.

Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against Japanese encephalitis, mpox, rabies, or tick-borne encephalitis.

Malaria

See also: Library article for Malaria

The following is current information as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

WHO—International Travel and Health (current online update, Country List)

(2016) Very limited Malaria risk due exclusively to P. vivax may exist in areas under the influence of intense migration from southern countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
  • Recommended prevention: none

WHO Country List footnote: When available, the date of the most recent update or confirmation is indicated in parentheses in the country list. If no date is indicated, the most recent update or confirmation was provided before 2013.

CDC—Health Information for International Travel (current online edition)

Areas with malaria: None.
Drug resistance: Not applicable.

Other Concerns

Travelers' Diarrhea

See also: Library article for Travelers' Diarrhea

Moderate risk exists throughout the country, with minimal risk in deluxe accommodations. Community sanitation and food safety measures may be inadequate. Some itineraries (e.g., remote destinations, austere accommodations) and activities (e.g., ecotourism, eating street or local-market food) further increase risk.

Travelers should observe food and beverage precautions, which reduce the likelihood of illness.

Travelers should carry loperamide for self-treatment of diarrhea and, if risk is moderate to high, an antibiotic to add if diarrhea is severe. Consult a knowledgeable health care provider regarding which antibiotic is appropriate for you and most effective for your destination.

Other Food-Borne Illnesses

Precautions to prevent brucellosis may be needed.

Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases

Leishmaniasis, Lyme disease, scrub typhus, West Nile virus may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.

Other Disease and Health Risks

Additional concerns include altitude illness, anthrax disease, avian influenza, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, hantavirus, hepatitis C, leptospirosis, medication restrictions, plague, radiation, sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis.

Safety and Security

See also: Library article for Safety and Security

Key Safety Risks

  • Road conditions and traffic collisions
  • Domestic and/or international air travel
  • Petty crime
  • Food and beverage spiking
  • Scams
  • Arbitrary arrest/unlawful detention
  • Cybersecurity

Key Security Threats

  • Terrorist attacks by domestic and/or transnational groups, which may target airports
  • Potential spillover of armed conflict
  • Cross-border threats in areas bordering Georgia and Ukraine
  • Explosions in public places
  • Occasional violent crime
  • Kidnapping/hostage taking, which may target foreign nationals

Emergency Phone Number

The national emergency number is 112.