Jordan

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Jordan has been hit by the avian flu epizootic, but is now virus-free according to the WHO.
• Tuberculosis exists in the country but remains rare.
• The risk is bilharziosis is high in the Jordan Valley, east of the Ghor canal, in the Zarqa and Yarmouk rivers, in the Tiberius lake and the Jarash sources.
• 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 thoroughly 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

Amman
• Arab Medical Center, P.O. Box 3128, Amman 11181: phone + 962 6 592 1199, fax + 962 6 592 1282
• Al Essra Hospital, Queen Rania Al Abdallah Street opposite Jordian University Mosque: phone + 962 6 530 0300, fax + 962 6 534 7888
• Al Khalidi Medical Center, Ben Khaldoun Street, Jabal Amman, near 4th circle, Amman 11183: phone + 962 6 464 4281, fax + 962 6 461 6081
• Farah Hospital, P.O. Box 5323, 3rd Circle, Zahran Area, Jabal Amman, Amman 11183: phone + 962 6 460 3555, fax + 962 6 461 4440
• Italian Hospital, Al-Muhajreen, Amman: phone + 962 6 777 101
• Jordan Hospital, Queen Nour Street, P.O. Box 520248, Amman 11152: phone + 962 6 5608 080, fax + 962 6 5607 575

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 199
• Emergency medical care / ambulances: 193 /198
• Police: 191

CLIMATE

• Climate is semi-desertic in Jordan (desertic in the east of the country).
• Summers are hot and dry, with blistering temperatures between May and September.
• Winters are cool, sometimes cold (possible snowfalls in mountainous areas). Rainfalls occur mainly between November and February.
• Springs and autumns are mild and pleasant.
• When to go: in March, April, September or October.