Georgia
Travel Destination – Georgia
Georgia is a country where the landscape shifts quickly from cobbled old towns and vine-covered valleys to some of the most dramatic alpine scenery in Europe. In the capital, Tbilisi, carved balconies, sulphur bathhouses, and winding laneways sit alongside contemporary cafés, galleries, and a steadily expanding hospitality sector. Beyond the city, the country opens into the fertile Kakheti Valley, the remote highland communities of Svaneti, and the Black Sea coast around Batumi.
This diversity is part of Georgia’s appeal, but it also means travel conditions can vary significantly between regions. Major centres such as Tbilisi and Batumi generally have well developed healthcare services, including private clinics with modern facilities. However, in mountainous or rural areas, access to advanced medical care may be limited, and evacuation to larger cities can take time, particularly in winter months when weather affects road access. For this reason, thoughtful preparation before departure is an important part of safe travel.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to Georgia, arranging a consultation with a travel health professional is strongly advised. A pre-travel assessment allows a clinician to review your vaccination history, consider destination-specific risks, and ensure any routine or travel-related immunisations are current. It also provides an opportunity to discuss any prescription medications that may be needed, including those for altitude-related travel, gastrointestinal illness, or personal medical conditions.
Ideally, this appointment should take place six to eight weeks prior to departure, particularly if vaccines requiring multiple doses are needed. Even when departure is imminent, a shorter-notice consultation remains valuable for risk reduction advice and ensuring appropriate protection is in place. Your itinerary will guide recommendations, whether you are staying in Tbilisi, travelling through wine regions such as Kakheti, exploring mountain areas like Svaneti, or undertaking hiking in the Greater Caucasus. Comprehensive travel insurance with coverage for medical care and emergency evacuation is strongly recommended for all travellers to Georgia, particularly for those planning mountain trekking, rural travel, or activities away from major cities.
Food and water hygiene
Georgian cuisine ranges from freshly baked khachapuri and spiced stews to locally produced wines and seasonal produce shared in traditional supra-style feasts. Food is generally of good quality, particularly in established restaurants and hotels, but as with travel anywhere, gastrointestinal illness remains one of the most common preventable health issues.
Foodborne and waterborne infections typically arise when microorganisms are introduced through contaminated water, undercooked food, or poor hand hygiene. Risk increases when food has been sitting at room temperature, where raw produce has not been properly washed, or where water sources are untreated.
Choosing freshly cooked meals served hot, being cautious with raw salads or unpeeled fruit outside reputable venues, and avoiding food that has been left uncovered are all sensible precautions. Bottled or treated water is preferable, particularly outside major cities, and ice in drinks should be avoided unless the source is known to be safe. Hand hygiene remains an important preventative measure, especially before eating street food or shared meals. Alcohol-based sanitiser is useful when soap and water are not readily available.
Rabies prevention
Rabies is present in Georgia and is most commonly associated with infected mammals, particularly stray dogs, though wildlife such as bats and foxes can also be involved. The virus is transmitted through saliva, usually via bites or scratches, and once symptoms appear it is almost always fatal. This makes prevention and rapid response after exposure critical.
In urban areas, stray dogs may be seen in public spaces, and while many appear familiar with human presence, they should not be touched, fed, or approached. The same applies to animals in rural areas or along hiking routes, where supervision and vaccination status are unknown. Even minor interactions, including licks on broken skin or unnoticed scratches, can carry risk.
For travellers planning extended stays in rural regions, trekking in remote mountain areas, or activities where access to medical care may be delayed, pre-exposure rabies vaccination may be recommended. This does not remove the need for urgent medical care after exposure but provides important protection while accessing treatment.
If any bite, scratch, or saliva exposure occurs, immediate washing of the wound with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes is essential, followed by urgent medical assessment without delay. Prompt post-exposure treatment is highly effective at preventing disease, but timing is critical.
Insect avoidance
Mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects are present in Georgia, particularly during the warmer months and in lower-altitude or vegetated areas. Although the country is not associated with high rates of mosquito-borne tropical diseases compared to other countries, insect bites can still lead to localised skin infections and, in some rural settings, tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease and Crimean-congo haemorrhagic fever. Sandflies can also transmit Leishmaniasis.
Ticks are the most relevant concern for travellers spending time in grassy fields, forested trails, or rural pastures, especially when hiking in the Caucasus mountains. These insects attach to skin unnoticed and can transmit bacterial infections after prolonged contact.
Practical protection can involve long sleeves and full-length trousers when walking through vegetation, and light-coloured clothing can make it easier to spot ticks. Repellents containing DEET or picaridin should be applied to exposed skin, while permethrin-treated clothing offers an additional layer of defence for those undertaking longer hikes or multi-day trekking. After outdoor activities, checking the body, scalp, and clothing for ticks is a simple but important step to identify ticks and prevent disease.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Georgia?
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver transmitted through contaminated food or water, or close contact with an infected person. It can cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and jaundice, and may lead to prolonged illness even in healthy adults. In Georgia, food quality in urban and established hospitality settings is generally good, but variability in sanitation and food handling can still present a risk, particularly outside major cities or in more informal dining environments.
Vaccination against hepatitis A is strongly recommended for most travellers who have not previously been immunised. The vaccine provides long-lasting protection after a complete course and is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of foodborne liver infection while travelling. A travel health clinician can confirm whether vaccination is needed and whether combined hepatitis A and B vaccination is appropriate in some cases.
Measles
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Measles is a highly contagious viral infection spread through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or breathes. It typically begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a widespread rash. While often thought of as a childhood illness, it can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation in people of any age. Although Australia maintains high vaccination coverage, measles continues to circulate internationally, including in parts of Europe and neighbouring regions. Travellers born during or after 1966 are strongly advised to ensure they have received two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine before travel, as even brief exposure in airports, public transport, or crowded tourist areas can lead to infection.
Influenza
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Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, transmitted through droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It commonly causes sudden fever, muscle aches, fatigue, sore throat, and cough, and can range from mild illness to severe complications such as pneumonia.
In Georgia, influenza circulation can occur seasonally, and timing may not align with Australian winter patterns. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged six months and older, particularly those at increased risk of complications, including older adults, pregnant individuals, and people with chronic health conditions.
COVID-19
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COVID-19 is a viral respiratory infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, spread primarily through inhalation of respiratory droplets and close contact with infected individuals. Symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell, with severity varying widely. COVID-19 continues to circulate globally, including in Georgia, with periodic increases in transmission. Australian guidance recommends that travellers remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccination. This includes booster doses for older adults, typically recommended six-monthly for those over 75 and annually for those aged 65 to 74. People with underlying health conditions may also be advised to receive additional doses based on individual clinical assessment. A travel health professional can help determine an appropriate schedule before departure.
Routine vaccinations
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Routine immunisations provide the foundation of travel health protection and include vaccines such as tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, and measles-mumps-rubella. While these vaccines are part of Australia’s strong national immunisation program, immunity can wane over time, and exposure risk increases when travelling internationally where disease circulation patterns differ. In Georgia and across parts of Europe and neighbouring regions, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases can still occur where population immunity is uneven. Ensuring routine vaccinations are current reduces the risk of preventable illness and is an essential part of pre-travel preparation. A travel health consultation is the best opportunity to confirm whether booster doses are required based on age, medical history, and planned activities. Additional vaccinations such as hepatitis B may be recommended based on personal history, risk factors and travel plans.
Georgia
Other health risks in Georgia
Gastroenteritis
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In Georgia, gastroenteritis is most often linked to food handling, water quality, and hygiene practices.
Hand hygiene is an effective preventative measure. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and after using the bathroom, handling money, or touching shared surfaces. When hand-washing facilities are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitiser is a useful alternative.
Food choices should prioritise items that are freshly cooked and served hot. Avoid foods that have been left standing at room temperature, particularly buffet-style dishes. Raw or undercooked meat, seafood, and eggs carry higher risk and should be avoided where possible.
Fruit that can be peeled is generally safer, as it reduces exposure from washing or handling. Leafy salads and uncooked vegetables may carry higher risk in informal settings where water quality is uncertain. Dairy products should ideally be pasteurised, especially in rural or home-produced settings.
Drink only bottled water from sealed containers, or water that has been boiled or appropriately treated. Avoid untreated tap water and be cautious with ice unless its source is known. Street food can be safely consumed when freshly prepared and served hot, but pre-cooked items held without temperature control are higher risk.
Rabies
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Rabies is present in Georgia and is most commonly associated with infected mammals. This particularly involves stray dogs, though wildlife such as bats and foxes can also be involved. The virus is transmitted through saliva, usually via bites or scratches, and once symptoms appear it is almost always fatal. This makes prevention and rapid response after exposure critical.
In urban areas, stray dogs may be seen in public spaces, and while many appear familiar with human presence, they should not be touched, fed, or approached. The same applies to animals in rural areas or along hiking routes, where supervision and vaccination status are unknown. Even minor interactions, including licks on broken skin or unnoticed scratches, can carry risk.
For travellers planning extended stays in rural regions, trekking in remote mountain areas, or activities where access to medical care may be delayed, pre-exposure rabies vaccination may be recommended. This does not remove the need for urgent medical care after exposure but provides important protection while accessing treatment.
If any bite, scratch, or saliva exposure occurs, immediate washing of the wound with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes is essential, followed by medical assessment without delay. Prompt post-exposure treatment is highly effective at preventing disease, but timing is critical.
Tuberculosis
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Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection spread through prolonged close contact with an infected person via airborne droplets. It primarily affects the lungs and can cause a persistent cough, fatigue, fever, and weight loss. For short-term travellers to Georgia, the risk is generally low, particularly outside healthcare settings or prolonged close living conditions.
Non-infectious conditions
Altitude sickness
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Georgia’s mountainous regions, including Kazbegi, Svaneti, and the Greater Caucasus, involve rapid altitude gains that can exceed 2,000–3,000 metres, making altitude illness a relevant consideration for hikers and travellers moving quickly from low-lying cities such as Tbilisi.
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is the most common form and occurs when the body has not adjusted to reduced oxygen at altitude. Symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and poor sleep, and are most likely after rapid ascent without time for acclimatisation. It is particularly relevant in Georgia where day trips or road travel can quickly reach high elevations.
More severe altitude illness includes high altitude cerebral oedema (HACE) and high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE), both of which are medical emergencies requiring immediate descent and urgent treatment.
Prevention is based on gradual ascent and allowing time for acclimatisation, particularly when travelling into the Caucasus. Avoid rapid elevation gain, limit exertion in the first days at altitude, maintain hydration, and minimise alcohol intake. Travellers planning trekking or high-altitude stays in Georgia should be aware of early symptoms and ensure they can access medical care or descent routes if needed, as remote areas may have limited healthcare access.
Crime and unrest
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Georgia is generally regarded as a welcoming destination with a strong tourism sector, particularly in Tbilisi, Batumi, and established regional centres. Most travellers experience their visit without incident. However, as with many international destinations, petty crime such as pickpocketing or opportunistic theft can occur, especially in crowded areas, transport hubs, and busy tourist precincts.
Travellers are encouraged to remain alert in markets, on public transport, and in nightlife areas, and to keep personal belongings secure and close at hand. While violent crime affecting tourists is not common, situational awareness is still advised, particularly at night or in less familiar neighbourhoods.
Checking the Australian government's Smartraveller website for updates before and during travel provides the most current safety information.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, most often in the lower legs or thighs. It is associated with situations where blood flow slows down for extended periods, allowing clot formation. For travellers, this is most commonly linked to long-haul flights from Australia, but it can also occur during long bus or car journeys, or any situation involving prolonged sitting or limited movement.
The main concern with DVT is not just the clot itself, but the possibility that part of it can break away and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. This is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication.
Symptoms of DVT can include swelling in one leg, pain or tenderness that may feel like cramping, warmth in the affected area, and sometimes redness or discolouration of the skin. However, it is important to note that DVT can also occur without obvious symptoms.
Prevention is focused on keeping blood circulating during long periods of travel. This includes moving regularly during flights or long drives, standing and walking when possible, and performing simple leg exercises while seated such as ankle rotations and calf contractions. Staying well hydrated is also important, as dehydration can contribute to thicker blood. For individuals with additional risk factors, such as previous clotting events, recent surgery, pregnancy, or certain medical conditions, compression stockings or personalised medical advice is recommended before travel.