Tips on Uzbekistan Warnings or Danger – Stay Safe!

Uzbekistan Warnings and Dangers

Uzbekistan is a fascinating Central Asia destination, rich in architecture and history. But like many exotic locales, there are dangers to avoid and warnings to heed.  Some tips:

Be Careful What You Eat

Uzbekistan can present a challenge to delicate Western constitutions. Some basics: don’t drink the water; peel fruit and vegetables, or ensure they’ve been washed in safe water; don’t use ice; avoid food that’s not fresh. Mayonnaise can be dodgy so be careful, especially when combined with the ‘no unpeeled veg’ rule.  Just be mindful, because there’s plenty of good eats to be had. Pack the Imodium!

Tick Territory

Rural Uzbekistan is home to ticks, and tick-borne disease is no fun. Prevent tick bites by wearing comfortable walking shoes, wearing long sleeves, hats and sunscreen, and covering your legs. Pale colors are better than dark ones because you can clearly see the ticks!

Bring DEET-based insect repellent and apply it to your exposed skin; avoid eyes, mouth and exposed wounds. Pack tweezers and bring some permethrin and check your body for ticks after time spent in forests or rural areas. Should you discover a tick, remove it by grasping its head with the tweezers, and remove it all. Dab some cream every few minutes, and then leave it on for 24 hours: it should drop off or then be gently removed.

Vaccinate!

Make sure you are fully vaccinated before your trip to Uzbekistan, including the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot. Plus, ask your doctor about vaccines to combat Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, and rabies.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about warnings and dangers in Uzbekistan.