For travellers arriving from Europe no vaccinations are required to enter Egypt. Passengers arriving from other countries might be required vaccinations, such as yellow fever; for detailed information please contact the Egyptian Embassy or Consulate in your country or closest to you. We recommend checking with your doctor or the Tropical Institute of your country concerning further suggestions. One or more hospitals are available in the main tourist cities. Most of the hotels have a doctor on call available, who will treat you on the spot, and will know where to direct you in case you need hospital services. Pharmacists in the major Red Sea towns are very knowledgeable and are usually tri-lingual. In most cases, they are familiar with common ailments. We suggest you carry a travel medical and first aid kit with you (including medication against sunburns, insect bites, seasickness and stomach disorder). A travel health insurance which in emergency cases will also repatriate you is highly recommended. If you have a condition and need to take regular medication, we advise you to carry it in your hand luggage while travelling, and to bring an adequate amount for your trip as not all medicines might be available in Egypt. Please take the following precautions while travelling in Egypt: - Do not spend too much time in the sun, cover your head and wear cotton or linen cloth; it might be advisable to wear a t-shirt while snorkelling. Weather in the Red Sea might be pleasantly dry, making you too comfortable in the sun.
- Use a high factor sun block, sun glasses and drink plenty of water to guard against exposure and dehydration, which can result in some health problems. Dehydration is a common complaint, and the main reason of many sicknesses: always drink lots of water! It is not advisable to drink the tap water in Egypt; bottled water is cheap and readily available.
- Depending on your travel plans and the season, choose your shoes appropriately; if you are going to the desert, bring tennis shoes or hiking boots.
- In the winter months, it is cold in the evenings and sometimes chilly during the days, especially if you are coming back from a dive; bring a warm jacket, long pants, long shirts and closed shoes.
- No matter the season, if you intend to climb Mt. Sinai bring a long shirt, long pants, jacket and hiking boots.
- Do not ever walk over coral reefs, do not touch corals or put your hands in holes on land or under water. Corals are living organisms and not stones, and on the surfacing reefs you might find almost invisible dangerous marine life as the stonefish.
- Some travellers may experience some stomach problems or even a cold from drastic change in temperature while drinking a cold drink.
Hyperbaric chambers in Dahab, Sharm el Sheikh, El Gouna, Hurghada, Safaga and Marsa Alam are extremely knowledgeable and prepared to all sorts of emergencies, even non diving-related. Click here for the complete list of Hyperbaric Chambers in the Red Sea. World Health Organization in Egypt - WHO Representative.
Magless El Shaab
PO Box No. 146
Cairo
11516
c/o Ministry of Health (Sh. Magless El Shaab)
PIO@emro.who.int
http://www.emro.who.int |