Europe

There have been confirmed cases of A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) in Russia relating to travellers who have recently returned from Russia. There are no restrictions on travel, although airports in Moscow have stepped up monitoring of passengers and crew arriving from countries with confirmed cases of A (H1N1).  Anyone displaying flu-like symptoms may be subject to further examination and quarantine. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. 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 at www.dh.gov.uk.

A Reciprocal Health Care Agreement operates between the UK and Russia. This entitles British nationals to free treatment in a Russian hospital.   However, any treatment you receive is likely to be limited.

Food poisoning, TB, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis occur in Russia.  Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in rural and wooded areas in the summer months. Tap water is not drinkable anywhere in Russia. Caution should be exercised and local advice sought. Bottled mineral water is widely available.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 940,000 adults aged 15 or over in Russia were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.1% 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 Russia 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 health information see Travel Health.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

In December 2007 an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in chickens on a farm in Rostovskaya province was reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health. In mid-February 2007 the Russian authorities confirmed a number of outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in the area around Moscow. The virus has currently only been found in birds on smallholdings, and no cases have been reported on commercial poultry farms. The Russian authorities have taken action to control the outbreak, and have placed several areas under quarantine.  At present we have no evidence that the outbreaks pose a risk to humans.

In 2005 there were reports of outbreaks of avian influenza in a number of other regions in Russia, including Tula, Tambov, Kurgan, Chelyabinsk, Novosibirsk and Krasnodar. No human infections or deaths have been reported.

The risk to humans from avian influenza is believed to be very low.  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.

 

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