Morocco Health Care and Vaccinations
| Title | Special precautions |
|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | No |
| Typhoid | Sometimes |
| Tetanus | Yes |
| Rabies | Sometimes |
| Malaria | No |
| Hepatitis A | Yes |
| Diphtheria | Sometimes |
Health Care
Medical facilities are generally adequate in major cities such as Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Agadir and Tangier. Private clinics usually provide a higher standard of care than public hospitals, although facilities and access to specialist treatment are more limited in smaller towns and remote areas.
Medical treatment must usually be paid for at the time it is provided. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment, hospitalisation and emergency repatriation is strongly recommended. Travellers planning activities in the mountains or desert should ensure their insurance covers their intended activities and rescue arrangements.
Pharmacies are widespread in towns and cities, and many medicines are available without a prescription. Travellers who require regular medication should bring an adequate supply in its original packaging, together with a copy of the prescription or a doctor's letter. Brand names and formulations may differ from those used elsewhere.
Call 15 for an ambulance or other medical emergency. Emergency response and ambulance standards vary, particularly outside the main cities.
Food and Drink
Tap water in major towns and cities is treated and generally considered safe to drink, although its mineral content may cause stomach problems for some visitors. Bottled or properly filtered water is advisable in rural areas or wherever the local supply is uncertain. Check that bottled water is sealed, and use safe water for brushing teeth if unsure about the water quality.
Food served freshly cooked and piping hot is generally safe. Exercise care with food that has been left standing at room temperature, salads washed in untreated water and raw or undercooked meat, seafood and eggs. Choose busy food stalls where ingredients are cooked in front of customers and turnover is high.
Wash or peel fruit and vegetables before eating them. Milk sold commercially is generally pasteurised, but avoid unpasteurised milk and dairy products of uncertain origin.
Other Risks
Rabies occurs in Morocco. Avoid contact with stray dogs, cats, monkeys, and other animals, and seek urgent medical attention after any bite, scratch, or lick to broken skin. Rabies treatment may be difficult to obtain promptly outside the principal cities.
Mosquitoes, sandflies and other biting insects can transmit disease, including leishmaniasis. Use insect repellent, cover exposed skin after sunset and sleep in screened or air-conditioned accommodation where possible.
Summer temperatures can be extreme, particularly in inland and desert areas. Drink sufficient water, limit strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day and use high-factor sunscreen. Temperatures may fall sharply after sunset in the desert and at higher elevations.
Altitude sickness can affect visitors trekking in the High Atlas, particularly above 2,500m (8,200ft). Ascend gradually, allow time to acclimatise and descend if symptoms worsen.
