Western Mongolia - Mongolia - page 560

» There are vaccines against hepatitis A and B, but there are currently no vaccines
against the other types of hepatitis.
Rabies
» In the Mongolian countryside, family dogs are often vicious and can be rabid; it is their
saliva that is infectious.
» Any bite, scratch or even a lick from an animal should be cleaned immediately and thor-
oughly. Scrub with soap and running water, and then apply alcohol or iodine solution.
» Seek medical help promptly to receive a course of injections to prevent the onset of
symptoms and death.
» The incubation period for rabies depends on where you're bitten. On the head, face or
neck it's as little as 10 days, whereas on the legs it's 60 days.
Tuberculosis (TB)
» TB is a bacterial infection usually transmitted from person to person by coughing, but
which may be transmitted through consumption of unpasteurised milk.
» Milk that has been boiled is safe to drink, and the souring of milk to make yoghurt or
cheese also kills the bacilli.
» Travellers are usually not at great risk as close household contact with an infected per-
son is usually required before the disease is passed on. You may need to have a TB test
before you travel, as this can help diagnose the disease later if you become ill.
Environmental Hazards
Heatstroke
» This serious, occasionally fatal, condition can occur if the body's heat-regulating mech-
anism breaks down and the body temperature rises to dangerous levels.
» Long, continuous exposure to high temperatures and insufficient fluids can leave you
vulnerable to heatstroke.
» The symptoms are feeling unwell, not sweating very much (or at all) and a high body
temperature. Where sweating has ceased, the skin becomes flushed and red.
» Victims can become confused, aggressive or delirious.
» Get victims out of the sun, remove their clothing and cover them with a wet sheet or
towel and fan continually. Give fluids if they are conscious.