Egypt

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• The H5N1 strain has been detected on poultry for the first time in Egypt in February 2006. Authorities have since then identified several focal outbreaks all over the country. Since 2006, 22 lethal cases have been reported for a total of 49 human contaminations.
• Atmospheric pollution is very high in Cairo and may represent a health risk for immuno-depressed persons, or people having respiratory dysfunctions.
• Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• Diarrhea is frequent in the country.

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

• Travellers entering the country from an endemic area are required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever.
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

Cairo
• Al Salam International, 3 rue Syria, Mohandessin: phone 303-05-02
• Al Salam International, Corniche El Nil, Maadi: phone 524-02-50/574-00-77
• Anglo Americain Hospital, Guezira, Zamalek: phone 735-61-62/63/65
• Misr International, 12, rue El Saraya, Dokki: phone 760-82-10 to 19.
• Nile Badrawi, Corniche El Nil, Maadi: phone 524-00-22.



Alexandria
• Smouha, 247 avenue El Horreya, Smouha: phone (03) 427-26-52



Louxor
• Al Salam International: phone (095) 237-96-29/(095) 238-71-92



Hurghada
• Al Salam International: phone (065) 354-88-53



Sharm el Sheigh
• Al Salam International: phone (065) 354-88-53

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 180
• Police: 122
• Ambulances (emergency): 123

CLIMATE

• The climate in Egypt is mediterranean on the Alexandria coast, semi-desertic at the latitude of Cairo, and completely desertic in the South.
• The ideal moment to visit the country is in the autumn, between September and November, when the weather gets colder in Europe but Egypt remains warm. Temperatures vary between 25 and 35°C from North to South.
• The winter is a good time to visit for people who can not bear temperatures above 30°C but may disappoint those who expect a sunny stay. During that season, it is careful to take a warm jacket if you are staying in Cairo as there is almost no heating in the country.
• Spring occurs rather late (March-April) and does not really constitute a transition season because summer arrives quickly. It is usually a windy period, especially with the khamsin (a hot sand wind which blows two or three times during the season).
• Temperatures are very high in the summer. You will have to adapt the program of your days by beginning very early in the morning and making a pause in the middle of the day.
• When to go: between the end of September and the end of November.