Yemen

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• Red Sea and Indian Ocean coasts are infected with malaria, as well as the Hadramaout valley. A few cases have also been reported in Sanaa. Strains are highly resistant to chloroquine (zone 3).
• There is currently an outbreak of poliomyelitis in Yemen.
• Dengue fever cases are multiplying in the country. The disease was present in only 5 provinces in 2007, but now affects 15 provinces out of 19. Hadramawt and Shabwah are particularly hardly hit.
• There are cases of animal rabies in the country.
• Diarrheic diseases are 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

• 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.
• Recommended chemoprophylaxis against malaria: mefloquine (commercial name: Lariam) or doxycycline (commercial name: Doxypalu).

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Sana'a
• Yemen-German Hospital, Hadda Road (near 60-Meter Road): phone + 967 418 000
• Al Noor Private Hospital: phone + 967 1 274 581 (in front of the Taj Sheba hotel)



Aden
• Al Saber Hospital, Al Manssora: phone + 967 2 347 400, fax + 967 2 347 366

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 179
• Police: 199
• Ambulances: 418 686 or 200 000

CLIMATE

• The rain season lasts from March to August, except in northern and eastern desertic zones.
• On the coasts, the climate is hot and humidin July and August. Weather is more pleasant in December, January and February.
• In mountainous areas, temperatures are temperate, summers are humid and winters dry.
• In altitude (over 2000 m), temperatures vary radically between the day and the night.
• When to go: between September and February.