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Pyramids, Egypt

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Egypt health care and vaccinations

Vaccination identifier Special precautions
Diphtheria

Yes
Hepatitis A

Yes
Malaria

No
Rabies

Sometimes
Tetanus

Yes
Typhoid

Yes
Yellow Fever

No*

* 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.

Public hospitals are open to tourists. The standard of care is good in Cairo and Alexandria but is of varying standard in other parts of the country. Health care provision and standards of hygiene is lacking in remote rural areas, particularly in the Western Desert oases. Health insurance is strongly advised.

Food and drink: 

Use only bottled water for drinking and, to be on the safe side, when brushing teeth. When buying bottled water, check the seal of the bottle is intact. Avoid unbottled beverages and ice except in top hotels and restaurants. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Avoid uncooked vegetables and peeled fruit that may have been washed in tap water.

Other risks: 

Immunisation against polio is advised because of the persistence of polio in Egypt. Precautions against hepatitis E should be considered. Immunisation against hepatitis B and tuberculosis is sometimes advised. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present in the Nile Delta and the Nile Valley; avoid swimming and wading in fresh water.

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