PRe-Departure Information
Nomadic Expedition’s Important Information for Travel to Mongolia
Click here for the Mongolia Pre-Departure.pdf!
Click here for the Mongolia Pre-Departure.pdf!
Email from Cathy Smith on measles vaccinations
What is the current situation?
A measles outbreak has been reported in Mongolia, with more than 19,000 cases nationwide and 59 infant deaths. Most of the infected have been students and infants. The capital city of Ulaanbaatar is most seriously hit.
CDC recommends that travelers to Mongolia protect themselves by making sure they are vaccinated against measles, particularly infants 6–11 months of age (1 dose of measles vaccine) and children 12 months of age or older (2 doses of measles vaccine). Clinicians should keep measles in mind when treating patients with fever and rash, especially if the patient has recently traveled internationally.
What can travelers do to protect themselves?
Get measles vaccine
Practice hygiene and cleanliness
For more detailed information please go to:
www.cdc.gov
then go to Travelers Health and Click on Mongolia
It also has a nice list of prescription and non prescription health care items to consider bringing on your trip to Mongolia if they are pertinent to your health.
What is the current situation?
A measles outbreak has been reported in Mongolia, with more than 19,000 cases nationwide and 59 infant deaths. Most of the infected have been students and infants. The capital city of Ulaanbaatar is most seriously hit.
CDC recommends that travelers to Mongolia protect themselves by making sure they are vaccinated against measles, particularly infants 6–11 months of age (1 dose of measles vaccine) and children 12 months of age or older (2 doses of measles vaccine). Clinicians should keep measles in mind when treating patients with fever and rash, especially if the patient has recently traveled internationally.
What can travelers do to protect themselves?
Get measles vaccine
- People who cannot show that they were vaccinated as children and who have never had measles should be vaccinated.
- Infants 6–11 months of age should have 1 dose of measles vaccine if traveling internationally.
- Children in the United States routinely receive measles vaccination at 12–15 months of age.
- Infants vaccinated before age 12 months should be revaccinated on or after the first birthday with 2 doses, separated by at least 28 days.
- Children 12 months of age or older should have 2 doses, separated by at least 28 days.
- Adolescents and adults who have not had measles or have not been vaccinated should get 2 doses, separated by at least 28 days.
- Two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is nearly 100% effective at preventing measles.
- MMR has been used safely and effectively since the 1970s. A few people experience mild, temporary adverse reactions, such as joint pain, from the vaccine, but serious side effects are extremely rare. There is no known link between MMR and autism.
Practice hygiene and cleanliness
- Wash your hands often
- If soap and water aren’t available, clean your hands with hand sanitizer(containing at least 60% alcohol).
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Try to avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with people who are sick.
For more detailed information please go to:
www.cdc.gov
then go to Travelers Health and Click on Mongolia
It also has a nice list of prescription and non prescription health care items to consider bringing on your trip to Mongolia if they are pertinent to your health.
Email from Mary Wallace
"Morgan Keay was nice enough to share this Handbook she created years ago when she was living and working in Mongolia. It makes for fascinating reading.
Here are some tips she shared about packing: UB is a very fashionable city and we need to wear to all of our meetings what we would wear in any city, like Washington, DC. Nice pants and suits are fine. The country side is the exact opposite, very casual. Morgan suggested that we could buy riding boots in the “Black Market”, a name that stuck from the Soviet years. The Black Market is open air, dirty, noisy, she loves it! The only crime to be prepared for is pick pockets in the markets. The Gobi will be cool at night, could even be cold, probable mild days. The Eagle Festival will be at a high elevation and have strong winds, “a parka would not be overkill”, long underwear, hat, gloves, very sturdy walking shoes or boots. Morgan has a “del”, or one piece kaftan, dressy or simple ones, which she said was ideal for the Mongolian climate. We can buy one in the market.
Other useful information: There are cashmere factory outlets to possibly visit. The top floor of the State Department Store has the best souvenirs. There are ATMS and the money is “Tugriks”. I am sure we will be told whether or not we will need cash or can use credit cards in various places. Mongolians do not “haggle” about the price of something, the price is the price.
Also attached are Etiquette DOS and DON’TS. The Mongolian people are very superstitious. When I asked why she said that this is a combination of the practice of Buddhism + the harsh life in the steppes leads to concern for safety and fear of evil spirits and demons. We should not talk about “bad” things like death or an injury, “Mo” Bad “Yer” Speak, “Moyer”, I think. Politics, poverty, current issues, are all just fine and they love to discuss these subjects. All fascinating! It was interesting to read in the Travel and Leisure article that the Mongolians “flick milk in the air” after their plane lands safely!"
Do's & Don’ts while in Mongolia (Morgan Keay & Itgel Handbook)
"Morgan Keay was nice enough to share this Handbook she created years ago when she was living and working in Mongolia. It makes for fascinating reading.
Here are some tips she shared about packing: UB is a very fashionable city and we need to wear to all of our meetings what we would wear in any city, like Washington, DC. Nice pants and suits are fine. The country side is the exact opposite, very casual. Morgan suggested that we could buy riding boots in the “Black Market”, a name that stuck from the Soviet years. The Black Market is open air, dirty, noisy, she loves it! The only crime to be prepared for is pick pockets in the markets. The Gobi will be cool at night, could even be cold, probable mild days. The Eagle Festival will be at a high elevation and have strong winds, “a parka would not be overkill”, long underwear, hat, gloves, very sturdy walking shoes or boots. Morgan has a “del”, or one piece kaftan, dressy or simple ones, which she said was ideal for the Mongolian climate. We can buy one in the market.
Other useful information: There are cashmere factory outlets to possibly visit. The top floor of the State Department Store has the best souvenirs. There are ATMS and the money is “Tugriks”. I am sure we will be told whether or not we will need cash or can use credit cards in various places. Mongolians do not “haggle” about the price of something, the price is the price.
Also attached are Etiquette DOS and DON’TS. The Mongolian people are very superstitious. When I asked why she said that this is a combination of the practice of Buddhism + the harsh life in the steppes leads to concern for safety and fear of evil spirits and demons. We should not talk about “bad” things like death or an injury, “Mo” Bad “Yer” Speak, “Moyer”, I think. Politics, poverty, current issues, are all just fine and they love to discuss these subjects. All fascinating! It was interesting to read in the Travel and Leisure article that the Mongolians “flick milk in the air” after their plane lands safely!"
Do's & Don’ts while in Mongolia (Morgan Keay & Itgel Handbook)