Thread: Visiting Ukraine

I would have posted this in the Travel and Tourism section, but I am leaving in 1 week and I need quick answers. That section is not very popular.

Have you ever visited Kiev and Zhiydachiv (a village in Lvov) in Ukraine?

If so, did you obtain any vaccines before visiting these cities? Which ones?

Is it highly recommended to obtain vaccines before visiting villages in Ukraine?

I asked the doctor and she recommended 2 vaccines, but I would like to know from your own personal experience.

Did you encounter any situations in which you wished you had obtained a vaccine beforehand?

Thank you very much for your quick replies.

Yes, I've traveled around Kiev, and taken the train to Sevastopol and back. I've also traveled around Crimea; Sevastopol, Simferopol, Sudak, Orlovko, Yalta... On my first trip there I did not have any vaccines (except for Tetanus), the second time I had a Hepatitis vaccine. However, If I remember correctly the Hepatitis vaccine must be given twice, with several weeks or months apart; since you are in a time constraint, I think you should follow your Doctor's advice (better than mine). Don't drink tap water, Private message me if you have any other questions, or wish to know any of my other thoughts...........

In Zhiydachiv they won't speak, or like to speak Russian much. It is the Ukrainian language heartland.

Yeah, hepatities vaccine is not going to help you if you are leaving in a week. But you should be fine though. I had the Hep B & C vaccine (or was it A?) before going to Russia for a year. Then I find out when I come back that the vaccine didn't work!!! The vaccine needs three shots, first time, second time 2 months after and third time 6 months after.

But if you are just visiting for a short while, you'll be fine!

Don't get a tattoo, or share needles, or rim any Ukrainians and you won't have to worry about hepatisis.

TATY: Have you ever been to Ukraine?

Has anyone gone during the summer months to a rural area (which Zhiydachiv is)?

I am afraid of tick-borne encephalitis. Ticks are most prominent between April and August (and I'm going in June).

Has anyone been to Ukraine, in a rural area, during this time?
Have you ever encountered any ticks?

I've been living in comfort in Canada all my life so this is a big scare for me.

Originally Posted by AnnaKova

TATY: Have you ever been to Ukraine?

Has anyone gone during the summer months to a rural area (which Zhiydachiv is)?

I am afraid of tick-borne encephalitis. Ticks are most prominent between April and August (and I'm going in June).

Has anyone been to Ukraine, in a rural area, during this time?
Have you ever encountered any ticks?

I've been living in comfort in Canada all my life so this is a big scare for me.

Well I am from the UK, and for travel to Ukraine they don't advise us to have any vaccines.

If the ticks were that bad there would be no living human there to visit.

Originally Posted by TATY

Originally Posted by AnnaKova

TATY: Have you ever been to Ukraine?

Has anyone gone during the summer months to a rural area (which Zhiydachiv is)?

I am afraid of tick-borne encephalitis. Ticks are most prominent between April and August (and I'm going in June).

Has anyone been to Ukraine, in a rural area, during this time?
Have you ever encountered any ticks?

I've been living in comfort in Canada all my life so this is a big scare for me.

Well I am from the UK, and for travel to Ukraine they don't advise us to have any vaccines.

Besides, this really isn't a big deal AFAIC. We have all kinds of ticks (esp. Deer ticks) and diseases (the big one here is Lyme disease) and quite frankly, I think this is one of those things that's really overblown. I'm not a medical authority or a tick expert, but all you do is this:
1. Check yourself for ticks (esp. if you've been in woody/grassy areas)
2. If you find one, pull it off. DO NOT just throw it away or crush it. Burn that farker. Wash the area it was sucking on and put some alcohol/disinfectant on it.

That's all I've ever done. I'm still alive -- (famous last words?). Obviously, if you start experiencing health problems go to a doctor.
Really, don't let it scare you. It's like saying you're not going to go to a beach because you're scared of sharks or you don't want to hiking because a bear might eat you. You have a much better chance of your airplane being shot down by Ukrainian polar bears with slingshots or something than dying of some tick disease.

There is also Anthrax, the Plague and avian flu to worry about.

You're from Canada, "eh?" Don't they have ticks there?? In order for a disease to be transmitted from a tick, they have to be attached to you, and sucking your blood, for at least two days, so if you are observant, and check yourself after walking around in the wilderness, you'll be ok. Simply check yourself, have someone else look you over(your back, and around the back of your head), but relax, you'll be fine. "Google" the topic, learn before you go, but honestly, you'll be fine!

Hey Annakova, for how long are you going? And how much time are you going to spend in each location?

If you survive, let me know, I am also going to small Ukranian villages this summer!

We won't endure the loss of you, KV!

Haksaw: Of course we have ticks here (I'm pretty sure they are most prominent in British Columbia), but I live in a city in Ontario.
I learned about ticks on moose when I went to Algonquin Park for a school trip, but of course on a school trip they keep us safe and keep us on the trails (so we don't wander where ticks would be waiting).

kalinka_vinnie: I am going for 2 weeks. One week in Kiev and one week in Zhiydachiv. Where are you going?

Rtyom Don't worry, I have some local guides to help me out. Besides, the loss of me to this forum is like the loss of one particularily annoying mousquito to a swamp...

AnnaKova I am going for 10 days, 5 days in Kiev and 5 days in Kharkov/some small село...