Vaccines: Depending on your itinerary your health care provider may offer you vaccination against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, or typhoid. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed.

Food- and water-borne diseases: Quite a few diseases, including hepatitis A and typhoid fever, are transmitted by unsanitary food handling procedures and contaminated water. Food and beverage precautions are essential in order to reduce chance of illness. Anti-diarrheal drugs (loperamide and/or a quinolone antibiotic) may be prescribed by your provider.

Insect-borne diseases: Diseases transmitted by insects are not generally a problem in this country, although mosquitoes and ticks do transmit Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, and Lyme disease. Personal protective measures are important when insect exposure is anticipated.

Tuberculosis is common in all developing countries. Travelers planning to stay more than 1 month should have pre-departure PPD skin test status documented. Travelers should avoid crowded public places and public transportation whenever possible. Domestic help should be screened for TB.

Avian influenza H5N1, excreted in large amounts in the droppings of infected birds, has been confirmed in this country in birds, including poultry, but not in humans. Although risk to travelers is minimal, avoid places where direct contact with birds and/or their secretions may occur, such as live animal markets and poultry farms. Well cooked chicken is safe to eat. Current influenza vaccines are not protective.

Malaria: None present

Rabies has again reared its head in Russia and care shouyld be taken when coming into contact with bot domestic and wild animals.

For more information on Russian Federation healthcare, outbreaks and disease control please visit the WHO site.

http://www.who.int/countries/rus/en/