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
Ukraine is a developing nation classified as lower middle income. Located in eastern Europe along the Black Sea (east of Poland and south of Belarus), the climate is classified as humid cold (no dry season) in the north and dry (semi arid) in the south, with cooler temperatures in some high-altitude areas.
Vaccinations
Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies, or tick-borne encephalitis. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed.
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)
No statement given.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, including in deluxe accommodations. Refugee camps are typically at risk of diarrheal outbreaks; no specific information is available. 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.
Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases
Leishmaniasis, Lyme disease, West Nile virus may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.
Other Disease and Health Risks
Additional concerns include anthrax disease, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, hantavirus, hepatitis C, leptospirosis, plague, radiation, sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis.
Consular Advice
The material below includes information from the US Department of State (DOS), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), as well as from additional open-source material. Standard safety precautions that apply to all international travel can be found in the Library article Safety and Security.
Consular Travel Advice
Due to military conflict, US (DOS), UK (FCO), Canada (GAC), and Australia (DFAT) advise avoiding all travel to this country.
An unsafe security environment exists due to widespread Russian military action with active fighting and heavy casualties, both military and civilian. A continued heightened threat of missile attacks exists across the country, including in Kyiv and other cities. A state of emergency has been in place since February 2022, martial law is in place, and Ukrainian air space is closed. The foreign embassies of the US, UK, Canada, and Australia have limited operations. Travelers who are in this country despite consular warnings should take cover in a hardened structure away from windows if air-raid sirens sound during military conflict, remain indoors whenever possible, maintain a high level of security awareness, carry a fully charged communication device, and follow the advice of local authorities.
Terrorism Risk
Risk of attack by transnational terrorist groups exists throughout Europe. Low risk of attack by domestic terrorist groups exists throughout the country, especially in Kyiv and Kharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast. Targets may include domestic and international organizations and businesses; public places and events, including those frequented by tourists; and transportation systems.
Crime
Moderate risk of violent crime (armed robbery) and moderate risk of petty crime exist throughout the country, especially in Kyiv and other cities, particularly in areas frequented by tourists, and near bars and nightclubs.
Theft of valuables from unattended vehicles is common.
Scams involving exorbitant fees for products, the use of distraction techniques to commit robbery, and false identity (such as criminals posing as police officers) have been reported.
Risk exists of robberies and/or assaults occurring after consuming intentionally drugged food or drink; tourists are frequently targeted.
Civil Unrest
Protests and demonstrations frequently occur throughout the country, especially in Kyiv, and have the potential to turn violent without warning. Bystanders are at risk of harm from violence or from the response by authorities. Disruption to transportation, free movement, or the ability to carry out daily activities may occur.
Unsafe Areas
Armed conflict occurs and a dangerous security environment and military presence exist in the Crimean Autonomous Republic and Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.
Water Safety
Rent water sports equipment from reputable operators. Scuba dive only with personnel certified by PADI or NAUI and use equipment only from PADI- or NAUI-certified dive operators.
Transportation Safety
High risk of traffic-related injury or death exists. The road traffic death rate is 12 to 24 per 100,000 population. The rate is less than 10 in most high-income countries.
Speed laws are poorly enforced.
Seat belt laws are poorly enforced.
Drunk driving laws are poorly enforced.
Structural standards for vehicles may not meet international standards.
Airline Safety
The US Federal Aviation Administration has determined that the civil aviation authority of this country oversees its air carriers in accordance with minimum international safety standards.
Consular Information
Selected Embassies or Consulates in Ukraine
- United States: [+380] 044-521-5000; ua.usembassy.gov
- Canada: [+380] 44-590-3100; www.ukraine.gc.ca
- United Kingdom: [+380] 44-490-3660; www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-kyiv
- Australia: [+380] 44-290-6400; ukraine.embassy.gov.au
Ukraine's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries
- In the U.S.: usa.mfa.gov.ua
- In Canada: canada.mfa.gov.ua/en
- In the U.K.: uk.mfa.gov.ua/en
- In Australia: australia.mfa.gov.ua/en
Visa/HIV Testing
HIV testing is not required to obtain a tourist, work, or residence visa.
