Europe

Medical facilities outside Baku are very limited.  Serious illness or injury may require evacuation to, Turkey or Western Europe. You should therefore ensure that your insurance covers this.

There have been outbreaks of rabies in the remote rural areas of Azerbaijan and there is usually a small number of malaria cases during the summer months particularly in the southern part of Azerbaijan.

You should not drink tap water as it may be unsafe but safe bottled water is readily available.

You should be aware that contaminated locally produced alcoholic spirits are sometimes sold in small local bars and restaurants.

 

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 7,800 adults aged 15 or over in Azerbaijan were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.2% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Azerbaijan and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

 

For more general information see travel health.

H1N1 - Swine Flu

There are confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus (Swine flu) in Azerbaijan. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. There is a dedicated swine flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.
 

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) occurred in various regions of Azerbaijan in early 2006, resulting in five human fatalities in the Salyan and Tartar Region.  Since the end of 2003, a number of human deaths have also occurred in Cambodia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. However, as a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of the possibility that the Avian Influenza outbreaks could lead at some point to a human flu pandemic, if the virus mutates to a form which is easily transmissible between people.

British nationals living longer term in an Avian-Influenza affected region should take personal responsibility for their own safety in the event of a future pandemic, including considering their access to adequate healthcare and ensuring travel documents are up to date.

You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.