Lebanon

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Malaria is present in the country. In 2003, 62 cases of malaria were notified by the Health Ministry but all cases were imported. In 2004, 69 cases have been reported, and 5 in the 6 first months of 2005.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country. In 2002, 2 lethal cases were reported after people who were bitten did not visit an Anti-rabies center. In 2003 and 2005, there were no cases, and one in 2004.
• Typhoid fever and hepatitis A are endemic (latest epidemics of typhoid in December 2006).
• There are cases of West Nile virus and sandfly fever in the country.
• Diarrheic diseases are very common.

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

• 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

Beirut
• Clemenceau Medical Center, Clemenceau Street: phone + 961 1 372888, fax + 961 1 364464
• Fouad Khoury Hospital, Maktabi Building, Abdelaziz Street, Hamra: phone + 961 1 350 208, fax + 9611 742 140
• Hotel-Dieu de France, Universite Saint-Joseph, Adib Ishak Street, Achrafieh: phone + 961 1 615 300, fax + 961 1 615 295
• Makassed Hospital, Ouzai Street: phone + 961 1 646 590, fax + 961 1 646 589
• Sahel General Hospital, Airport Avenue, Dergham Street, Ghobeiry: phone + 961 1 858 333, fax + 961 1 840 146
• Saint George Hospital University Medical Center, Youssef Sursock Street, P.O. Box 166 378, Achrafieh: phone + 961 1 581 700, fax + 961 1 582 560
• Trad Hospital and Medical Center, 53 Mexique Street, P.O. Box 113 6431, Clemenceau: phone + 961 1 369494, fax + 961 1 361663

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 175
• Police: 112
• Ambulances: 140 (Red Cross) or 961 1 865 561

CLIMATE

• The climate is mediterranean: summers are hot (30°C) and dry, winters mild and rainy.
• In the mountains, the climate is cooler, sometimes cold with frequent snowfalls in the winter.
• When to go: in April, May, September or October.