Saudi Arabia

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• The risk of paludism exists in Western Saudi Arabia and in some areas of Southern Saudi Arabia (zone 3, high resistance to chloroquine).
• Saudi Arabia is one of the countries hit by the H5N1 epizootics. Cases of H5N1 have been discovered on farm birds in the region of Dammam (East of the country).
• Numerous cases of dengue fever have been reported in the area of Djeddah, close to Mecca.
• Tuberculosis is frequent in the country.
• Diarrheas are very frequent.

FOOD SAFETY

• It is recommended not to drink tap water: prefer bottled water whenever possible.
• Avoid eating ice, fresh fruit juices, raw vegetables or unpeeled fruit.
• Avoid eating food (meat, fish, poultry, milk) that is not cooked enough.
• Make sure 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.
• It is compulsory for pilgrims going to Mecca or Medica to get immunized against meningococcal disease A-C-Y-W135.
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.
• Recommended chemoprophylaxis against malaria (only if you stay in the south or west of the country): mefloquine (commercial name: Lariam) or doxycycline (commercial name: Doxypalu).

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Riyadh
• Kingdom Hospital: (966.1) 275 11 11
• Hammadi Hospital: (966.1) 464 33 12
• Consulting Clinic: (966.1) 465 91 00
• M. Sakkal, French-speaking doctor: (966.5) 05 42 30 93
Djeddah
• Bugshan Hospital: (966.2) 669 12 22

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 998
• Ambulances: 997
• Police: 999

CLIMATE

• Climate is dry all year round. Summers are hot and dry, winters are mild on the coasts and fresher inside the country. There is a moderate rain season between October and April in the West of the country, on the coast. In the center (Nedj), nights are chilly and days very hot. In the North and the South of the country, climate is desertic.
• When to go: between November and March.