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
Uzbekistan is a developing nation classified as lower middle income. Located in central Asia (north of Turkmenistan and south of Kazakhstan), the climate is classified as dry (arid) throughout most of the country and dry (semi arid) in the southeast.
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 typhoid fever. 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)
(2017) No indigenous cases of P. falciparum have been reported since 2009 and none of P. vivax since 2015. Previous risk due predominantly to P. vivax existed (from June through October) particularly in southern areas (Khatlon Region) and in some central (Dushanbe), western (Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region) and northern (Leninabad Region) areas.- Recommended prevention in risk areas: A – Very limited risk of malaria transmission. Mosquito bite prevention only.
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
High risk exists throughout the country, with moderate risk in deluxe accommodations. Community sanitation and food safety measures are generally 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, 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, helminths, hepatitis C, leptospirosis, plague, 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 ongoing security concerns and the risk of terrorism, consular sources advise avoiding travel to areas bordering Afghanistan. Due to regional political tensions and conflict, civil unrest, and the risk of landmines, consular sources advise reconsidering travel (or avoiding nonessential travel) to areas bordering Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and to eastern areas of the Ferghana Valley, including the city of Andijan (Andijan Province).
Terrorism Risk
Risk of attack by transnational terrorist groups exists throughout the country. Targets may include domestic and international organizations and businesses; public places and events, including those frequented by tourists; and transportation systems.
Crime
Low risk of violent crime (armed robbery, home robbery) and low risk of petty crime exist throughout the country, especially in train stations, markets, tourist destinations, and other crowded areas.
Scams involving corrupt officials and false identity (such as criminals posing as police officers) have been reported.
Civil Unrest
Protests and demonstrations may infrequently occur 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
Landmines and other unexploded ordnance are present and a dangerous security environment may exist in areas bordering Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan (including the city of Andijan and eastern areas of the Ferghana Valley), and Tajikistan.
Transportation Safety
Risk of traffic-related injury or death exists. The road traffic death rate is 7 to 12 per 100,000 population. The rate is less than 10 in most high-income countries.
Seat belt 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.
Natural Disasters
Seismic activity frequently occurs.
Consular Information
Selected Embassies or Consulates in Uzbekistan
- United States: [+998] 71-120-5450; uz.usembassy.gov
- Canada: [+998] 71-252-1005; travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates/uzbekistan
- United Kingdom: [+998] 78-120-1500; www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-tashkent
- Australia: Australia does not have an embassy or consulate in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries
- In the U.S.: www.uzbekistan.org
- In Canada: [+1] 647-823-3951
- In the U.K.: www.uzembassy.uk
- In Australia: Uzbekistan does not have an embassy or consulate in Australia.
Visa/HIV Testing
HIV testing may be required to obtain a work or residence visa.
