Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt.

1
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas (see below). Those arriving in transit from such areas without a certificate will be detained at the airport until their onward flight departs. The following countries and areas are regarded by the Egyptian health authorities as being infected with yellow fever: all countries in mainland Africa south of the Sahara with the exception of Lesotho, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe (and including Chad, Mali and Niger); Sudan south of 15°N (location certificate issued by a Sudanese official is required in order to be exempt from vaccination certificate); São Tomé e Principe. Also in the endemic zone are Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Surinam, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela.

2
Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Egypt and the country is currently not listed as infected. However, sporadic cases of cholera have been reported and precautions could be considered. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix for further information.

3
Vaccination against typhoid and polio is advised.

4
Limited malaria risk, in the malignant falciparum and benign vivax forms, may exist from June to October in the El Faiyoum area. There is no risk in Cairo or Alexandria at any time.

Food & drink
Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Drinking water outside main cities and towns carries a greater risk and should always be sterilised.

Other risks
Precautions against hepatitis A and E and diphtheria should be considered. Immunisation against hepatitis B is sometimes advised. Dengue fever occurs in epidemics. Onchocerciasis (river blindness) and leishmaniasis occur. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present in the Nile Delta and the Nile Valley. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Filariasis may occur in the Nile Delta. There may be a danger of snakes and scorpions in certain areas. Sandstorms are also a risk in some parts.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Public hospitals and chemists are open to tourists. Health insurance is strongly advised.