Health risks

Egypt is a developing country with extensive facilities for tourists.

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SAFETY AND SECURITY: Following an attack by extremists on tourists in the Upper Egypt town of Luxor in November 1997, Egyptian law enforcement and security officials took measures to enhance security at airports, international hotels and tourist sites throughout the country. There have been no attacks on tourists since that time. Effective police operations in the past few years and the heightened security posture throughout Egypt, particularly since September 11th, have made it more difficult for extremist groups to conduct terrorist operations. However, the threat has not been eliminated.

CRIME: The crime rate in Egypt is low. While incidents of violence are rare, purse snatching, pickpocketing and petty theft are not uncommon. Unescorted women are vulnerable to sexual harassment and verbal abuse.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: There are many Western-trained medical professionals in Egypt. Medical facilities are adequate for non-emergency matters, particularly in tourist areas. Emergency and intensive care facilities are limited. Facilities outside Cairo fall short of western standards. Most Nile cruise boats do not have a ship's doctor, but some employ a medical practitioner of uncertain training. Hospital facilities in Luxor and Aswan are inadequate, and they are nonexistent at most other ports of call.

Arthropodborne diseases:

• Epidemic typhus
• Filariasis
• Malaria
• Leishamaniasis
• Relapsing fever
• Rift Valley fever
• West Nile fever

We recommend:

• Usage of long-sleeved shirt and long pants to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
• Usage of insect repellent containing DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide), in 30%–35% strength for adults and 6%–10% for children. Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing
• Usage of a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin.
• Staying and sleeping in air-conditioned houses

Water- and foodborne diseases:

• Amoebiasis
• Diarrhoae
• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid fever
• Brucellosis
• ETEC (E.coli)
• Echinococcosis (sporadic)
• Cholera (sporadic)

Other diseases:

• Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis ) expecially near the river Nile

Vaccinations recommended:

• Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin
• Hepatitis B or Immune Globulin
• Rabies - if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation
• Typhoid fever- Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
• A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if not covered which indicates not vaccinated within the last 10 years.

Prevent illness by:

• Wash hands often with soap and water.
• Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
• Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
• Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it
• Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
• Prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot
• Do not travel at night
• Trafic accidents are frequent, be careful
• Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
• Don't eat food purchased from street vendors
• Malaria risk is minimal, prophylaxis is not recommended.

Compulsory vaccinations: yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas. Exempt infants under 1 year. The following countries and areas are regarded as infected (air passengers in transit coming from these countries or areas without a certificate will be detained in the precincts of the airport until they resume their journey): Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Rep, Chad, Congo, Congo Dem Rep, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan (south of 15°N), Tanzania, Togo, Uganda & Zambia Americas: Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago & Venezuela All arrivals from Sudan are required to possess either a vaccination certificate or a location certificate issued by a Sudanese official centre stating that they have not been in Sudan (south of 15°N) within the previous 6 days.

Recommended immunisations: diphtheria, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *malaria, polio, *TB, tetanus, typhoid * recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: malaria exists from Jun-Oct in El Faiyum area. Rabies.

Blood transfusion & tissue transplantation risk according to UK BTS:

• Malaria: Yes, June - October in El Faiyum area
• Maliaria Risk Category: C
• Trypanasoma Cruzi Risk: No
• Sub Saharan Africa: No
• West Nile Virus Risk: No
• Chikungunya Virus Risk: No

Yellow fever vaccination requirements and recommendations and malaria situation in Egypt
Food and Water Safety
HIV Risk
Check:

• travelers health risks by CDC before, after and while traveling to Egypt and prevention before arrival at Egypt.
• Travel data, health safety, warnings and recommendations for Canadian who willing to visit Egypt
• Travel Safety and security for Egypt By The Foreign & Commonwealth office (FCO)
• Travel Safety and Advice for Egypt - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• A survey of Egypt Travel Safety Issues

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