Egypt Travel Guide - Health

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Those arriving in transit from such areas without a certificate will be detained at the airport until their onward flight departs.

Do not drink tap water or use it to brush teeth. Use bottled water instead. Do not drink unbottled beverages and never have ice in drinks. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk should only be reconstituted with pure water. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Precautions against hepatitis E should be considered. Immunisation against hepatitis B and tuberculosis is sometimes advised. Dengue fever occurs in epidemics. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present in the Nile Delta and the Nile Valley; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Rift Valley fever occasionally occurs in epidemics. Onchocerciasis (river blindness) and leishmaniasis occur. Immunisation against polio is advised because of the persistence of polio in Egypt. A number of bird flu cases have been reported in Egypt, including several fatalities.

Public hospitals are open to tourists. Health insurance is strongly advised.