Kyrgyzstan

Recommended Vaccinations For Kyrgyzstan

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

Due to the risk of exposure to hepatitis A, vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Due to the risk of exposure to hepatitis B, vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities and rural areas.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who will live in Kyrgyzstan for more than 3 months.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine

Most cases occur in grassy or forested areas less than 2,500 ft (750 m) elevation from April through November, with peaks in early and late summer. Outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, bicycling and outdoor occupations may bring a higher risk or exposure.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Kyrgyzstan

There are no recommendations for Kyrgyzstan at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Kyrgyzstan

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Kyrgyzstan through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in this country through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

For Some Travellers

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with this disease. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis

Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in this country. Cases were previously reported in Ala-Archa National Nature Park in the Tian Shan mountains (Chüy Region).

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Kyrgyzstan are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting ill friends or family or working in the health care field.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in this country, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas and staying with friends or relatives. There is an increased risk for travellers who are in contact with an infected person, young children, long-term travellers, and those visiting areas of poor sanitation.

Rabies

Rabies has been reported in domestic and wild animals in this country. Bats may also carry rabies-like viruses. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Kyrgyzstan

Personal Safety

Petty crime like pickpocketing and bag snatching occurs frequently in Kyrgyzstan, especially in crowded areas such as markets and on public transport. Violent crime targeting both locals and foreigners is also common, and police response is often limited. Thieves posing as police officers have approached travelers requesting payment of fines. If this happens, offer to follow the officer to a police station to pay. Fraudulent airport facilitators at Manas International Airport have lured travelers into cars and requested money. The crime rate shows a mixed picture. Violent crime has decreased slightly, but theft incidents increased by 10% in recent years compared to previous years, particularly in tourist areas. Corrupt police can be an issue. Traffic police have been known to demand arbitrary fines for purported infractions. Organized gangs target foreigners. Most safety concerns center around Bishkek, Osh, and Karakol due to their larger populations, though rural areas are generally safer. Take care at night, particularly in poorly lit areas of Bishkek. Avoid walking alone after dark and consider using private cars or pre-arranged taxis at night rather than public transport. Do not hand over your passport unless at an official police station. You must always carry your passport or a notarized copy at all times as police can arrest you without it. Drink spiking has been reported, so never leave drinks unattended and avoid accepting drinks from strangers.

Extreme Violence

Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. The most notable recent attack was a suicide bombing against the Chinese Embassy in Bishkek on August 30, 2016, reportedly carried out by the Turkestan Islamic Party. There has been some terrorist activity and armed violence, particularly south and west of Osh. Since 2014, an estimated 850 Kyrgyz citizens have left the country to join terrorist groups. The country remains vulnerable to transnational threats, especially in the remote south where ill-defined and porous borders allow relatively free movement of people and illicit goods. Authorities report several terrorism-related arrests annually, including individuals accused of recruiting Kyrgyz nationals to join international terrorist organizations. Despite the risk, terrorist attacks remain rare in the country. The government restricts public information on national security issues, making it difficult to assess the true extent of the threat. Due to increasing regional tensions in the Middle East, Israeli and Jewish-linked sites could be targets. Kyrgyzstan faces limitations on its ability to investigate and prosecute returning foreign terrorist fighters due to lack of expertise, resources, and potential shortcomings in the legal framework.

Political Unrest

Demonstrations happen regularly in Bishkek and elsewhere across the country. Most demonstrations are peaceful but occasionally turn violent, sometimes with little or no warning. Avoid crowds and demonstrations. On May 17 and 18, 2024, 41 people were injured in Bishkek in protests against South Asian migrant workers and students. In October 2022, more than two dozen protesters were arrested following demonstrations over a border demarcation agreement with Uzbekistan, and they remained in detention over a year later facing charges of preparing to incite riots. Kyrgyzstan has experienced three revolutions in the 21st century. The 2020 revolution began on October 5 in response to parliamentary election fraud allegations. The results were annulled on October 6, and President Jeenbekov resigned on October 15. According to the Ministry of Healthcare, 768 people were injured during the 2020 protests. Previous revolutions occurred in 2005 and 2010. The 2010 revolution resulted in at least 41 protesters killed during violent clashes. Political instability and the potential for civil unrest remain concerns. The current administration under President Sadyr Japarov has led a crackdown on civil society since 2021, with systematic stifling of critical voices, including arrests of activists, journalists, human rights defenders, and opposition politicians. A blanket ban on protests was introduced in March 2022 and extended through October 2023. The political situation has stabilized since 2020, but demonstrations can still occur near the White House presidential building and Ala-Too Square in Bishkek.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid non-essential travel to areas within 30 kilometers of the borders with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan due to security concerns. The southern regions are prone to smuggling activities due to ill-defined and porous borders, making the security situation volatile and dangerous. The Batken region near the Tajik border should be avoided. In 2022, military clashes in the Batken region bordering Tajikistan escalated into armed conflict. A state of emergency was declared and later lifted following a ceasefire agreement. The security situation remains volatile and could deteriorate with little warning. As of March 2025, two checkpoints on the border with Tajikistan are open for transit with no travel restrictions for Americans, but visitors should exercise caution due to a recent history of border clashes. Marked and unmarked minefields may be present in areas bordering Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, especially in uncontrolled areas. Avoid the Uzbek enclaves of Sokh and Shakhimardan and the Tajik enclave of Vorukh, as entry requirements are complex and security situations can change rapidly. The Fergana Valley has increased risks due to the security situation including the threat of terrorism and violent crime and the risk of civil unrest. Southern Kyrgyzstan has yet to fully recover from ethnic violence in 2010 against ethnic Uzbeks. Osh is culturally interesting but demonstrations and riots can occur. Check the latest security situation before visiting and consider going with a reliable local guide. Areas around Lake Issyk Kul and northern regions like Chui, Talas, and Naryn are generally safe for tourists.