Healthy Travelling in Egypt

The following information must be viewed as a guide only. It is not intended, nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

Specific recommendations on vaccinations, antimalarial medications & targeted travel health advice are always provided on an individual basis taking into account:

• The personal health of the traveller including past medical & vaccination history;

• intended activities;

• Precise itinerary;

• Style of travel;

• Type of accommodation;

• Time of year;

• Altitude; &

• Length of stay.

As well, some vaccines eg rabies & tuberculosis are very much influenced by local disease risk. Specific face-to-face advice is particularly important when recommending antimalarial medications & those for presumptive treatment eg for travelers diarrhoea.

We strongly recommend travelers seek an appointment with a doctor trained in travel health prior to departure.

Travellers should undergo individual risk assessments whether they are short term holiday makers, business people or the long term expatriate worker. It is recommended that you visit a travel health professional 6-8 weeks prior to departure. However, if that time frame is not possible, remember – “It’s never too late to vaccinate”.

Egypt is becoming a major destination for travellers. The magnificence of the pyramids & other wonders of ancient Egypt together with the natural beauty of the Nile are enduring drawcards.

Pre-travel preparation will help protect your health while you are away. To assist you in recognising & understanding some of the major travel health risks you may face while holidaying in Egypt, and we prepared a summary of some of these issues in the following pages.

Table 1 provides a brief description of some of the major travel health issues & vaccinations that should be considered for travel to Egypt.

We hope you find this information useful in preparing for your trip. Remember it is advisable to consult a travel health specialist prior to departure.

Currency of your basic immunisations such as Tetanus & Diphtheria should be checked & others like Hepatitis A & Typhoid considered according to the criteria mentioned previously.

Table 1. Major Travel Health Issues & Considerations for Egypt

Hepatitis A

This is a viral disease of the liver which is transmitted through eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. It is the most common vaccine preventable disease that occurs in travellers to less developed areas of the world.

Hepatitis B

This is a viral disease of the liver that is transmitted via blood, blood products or bodily fluids. It is vaccine preventable. Hepatitis B immunisation is now part of the childhood immunisation schedule. Many adult travelers have missed this very important immunisation & travel may be a good reason for vaccination.

Typhoid

Typhoid Fever is caused by a bacteria found in contaminated food & water. It is endemic in the developing world & vaccination is recommended for travelers to areas where environmental sanitation & personal hygiene may be poor. The adventurous eater venturing ‘off the beaten’ path should certainly consider vaccination.

Tetanus, Pertussis & Diphtheria

Tetanus is caused by a toxin released by a common dust or soil bacteria, which enters the body through a wound. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection of the throat & occasionally of the skin. It is found world wide & is transmitted from person-to-person by coughing & sneezing. Pertussis (Whooping cough) is a highly infectious respiratory infection responsible for 300,000 deaths annually, mainly in children. Diphtheria & pertussis vaccines can be added to the tetanus vaccine. Because many adults no longer have immunity from childhood immunisation it is advised that travelers to less developed countries have a tetanus, diphtheria & pertussis booster.

Measles, Mumps & Rubella

Childhood immunisation coverage in many developing countries is not good. As such, travelers under the age of 40 years should have their measles, mumps & rubella immunisation complete. Those over the age of 40 years are most likely to have long term immunity from previous exposure as a child.

Chickenpox

This very common infectious disease can now be prevented through immunisation. Many people miss the disease in childhood only to have a significant illness as an adult. Travel puts one at higher exposure & if one cannot elicit a history of having had the illness a test can show whether at risk.

Malaria

Malaria is transmitted by a night biting mosquito. The risk of exposure is low in Egypt, especially in the areas frequented by travellers. While the risk is very low it is not NIL & discussing your particular trip with a travel medicine specialist is important. Medications to reduce the risk of disease are not generally recommended but any illness which is flu-like in nature after returning should still be checked for malaria.

Rabies

Rabies is a deadly viral infection of the brain transmitted to humans. The disease itself is rare in travelers, but the risk increases with extended travel & the likelihood of animal contact. The best way to avoid rabies is too avoid all contact with animals. Dogs are the main carriers; however monkeys, bats, cats & other animals may also transmit the disease. Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for extended travel & those who work with, or are likely to come in contact with animals.

Cholera

Cholera is a severe, infectious diarrhoeal disease caused by a bacteria. It is common in developing countries & is associated with conditions of poverty & poor sanitation. Cholera causes severe & rapid dehydration. Travelers who follow the rules of eating & drinking safely will minimize their risk. There is also a new oral vaccine available for cholera which may be recommended under certain circumstances.

Traveler's Diarrhoea

Up to 40% of tourists may develop 3 or more loose bowel motions a day within the first week of travel. A variety of germs can be responsible for this infection & a Traveler's Medical Kit containing appropriate therapy can rapidly improve the symptoms. It is also important to follow the rules of healthy eating & drinking to minimise risks. The new oral cholera vaccine has been shown to provide limited protection against some forms of traveler's diarrhoea.