Algeria

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• There are sporadic cases of malaria. Areas of transmission are scarce and mainly located in the oases of the south of the country.
• A few cases of meningitis and typhoid fever are regularly reported in several regions.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• Diarrheic diseases are frequent.

FOOD SAFETY

• Gastric diseases are common among tourists who are not accustomed to local food or who do not take precautions.
• Do not drink tap water and favor bottled mineral water, without ice ; avoid eating ice cream and sherbet.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked dishes, especially meat or fish. If possible, order hot dishes.
• Bring anti-diarrhea medication with you.
• Wash your hands carefully before each meal.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• It is required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever for travelers who are coming from an endemic area.
Systematically:
• Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
• Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.
Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:
• Typhoid fever: if the stay is occurring in precarious hygiene condition. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
• Rabies: recommended for long stays in isolation. The immunization should be given to children as soon as they are able to walk.
• Tuberculosis : in case of a long stay, it is recommended to have children immunized against tuberculosis as soon as they reach the age of one month, and against mumps, measles and rubella when they reach the age of nine months.

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

• Dr. Ouiza Tabti (dermatologist, GP for the French Consulate in Algiers), 83 boulevard Krim Belkacem, Algiers: phone + 213 21 63 93 25
• Dr. Karim Dendene (GP), 9 rue Monge, 16 000 Algiers
• Dr. Mustapha Guenaoui (GP), 6 avenue Cheikh Larbi Tebessi, 31000 Oran
• Professeur Nabyl Tabti (cardiologist), 83 boulevard Krim Belkacem, Algiers
• Professeur Mohamed Kouidri (respiratory diseases), 6 rue Sergent Addoun, Algiers
• Private hospitals: El Qods in Hydra (Algiers) and Nedjma in Birmandreis (Algiers)

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 21
• Police: 17
• Ambulances: 21

CLIMATE

• Climate is mediterranean in Northern Algeria, on the coast and the Tellian Atlas (hot and dry summers, wet and fresh winters), semi-arid in Central Algeria (high plateaus), and desertic after the Sahara atlas.
• Temperatures may vary a lot in one day, especially in the Sahara (above 40°C during daytime, below 5°C during the night).
• When to go: it is recommended to visit the north of the country when temperatures variations are least important - in the beginning of autumn (between mid-September and mid-October) or during spring (from March to May). Avoid Algiers in August: the heat is extreme and the water scarce. Concerning the Sahara, it is recommended to go between November and February if you take with you a pull-over to warm up at night.