Morocco

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• There are sporadic cases of malaria in the country, in the Kourigba province (benign form P. Vivax). Transmission occurs mainly between May and November. It is not necessary to take a prophylactic treatment, but cover yourself to avoid mosquito bites.
• The number of AIDS cases, although lower than in other countries of the continent, is rapidly increasing, notably in big cities and touristic places, particularly Agadir.
• There is a risk of leishmaniosis due to the presence of sandflies; protect yourself to avoid their bites.
• The risk of bilharziosis exists in the Anti-Atlas and High-Atlas, coastal areas, oases and irrigated regions.
• Protect yourself from sun and heat to avoid burns and sunstrokes.
• Beware of scorpions.
• Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
• There are cases of animal rabies 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.
• Tap water is drinkable in main cities; elsewehere, 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

• No specific immunization is required from travelers entering the country.
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.
• Neisseria meningitidis meningitis: for long stays or in case of close contacts with local population in an epidemic area. The immunization is available for children at least 2 years old.
• 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

Rabat
• Emergency Medical Service: 037 20 21 21 / 22 / 23
• Heart and Vessels Clinic: 037 84 34 20 ou 78 58 14 / 15 / 16
• Agdal Clinic: 037 67 50 28 / 29
• United Nations Clinic: 037 67 05 05



Casablanca
• Val d'Anfa Clinic: 022 39 14 39
• Al Hakim Clinic: 022 81 81 81
• Kadi Clinic: 022 27 52 35
• Ghandi Clinic: 022 36 05 34
• Maroc Assistance : 022 30 30 30



Tangiers
• Red Crescent Clinic: 039 94 25 17
• Timgis Clinic: 039 94 09 90 / 91 / 92
• Italian hospital: 039 93 12 88



Marrakech
• Ibn Tofail Clinic: 024 43 63 53 / 024 43 87 18
• South Polyclinic: 024 44 79 99
• C.N.S.S. Polyclinic: 024 34 70 51
• « Les Narcisses » Polyclinic: 024 44 75 75
• Koutoubia Polyclinic: 024 43 85 85
• Trari ambulances: 024 44 37 24
• Allo Emergency Medicine: 024 40 40 40

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Police (in urban areas): 19
• Royal Constabulary (outside urban areas): 177
• Firemen and ambulances: 15

CLIMATE

• The climate depends on the altitude and the region : mediterranean in the north of the country, temperate in the west and desertic in the south. The climate is temperate in coastal areas with, from May to October, pleasant temperatures and sunny days. Winters are warm and sunny. The sea temperature remains low on the Atlantic coast. Morocco is regularly targeted by the Sirocco and the Chergui, a hot and dry wind from Sahara which increases temperatures, notably inside the country. In mountainous regions, winters are cold and wet, with snow falls in the Atlas.
• When to go: between April and June or September-October. To visit the Sahara, it is advised to go between October and February.