Travel Tips Health

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers arriving from countries of which any parts are infected.

2: Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

3: Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists throughout the year in most of the Southern region, except the high altitude areas of Asir Province, and in certain rural areas of the Western Province. There is no risk in Mecca or Medina. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. The recommended prophylaxis is chloroquine plus proguanil. Cerebral Malaria has also occurred, but solely in the Jizan region.

Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. 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. Salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Note: During the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), Saudi Arabia requires vaccination of pilgrims against meningococcal meningitis. Although this applies mainly to pilgrims, other travellers may find themselves affected, especially during the month of August. Vaccination is compulsory all year round, however, for nationals of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria arriving from the following countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Dem Rep), Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Sudan.

Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Hepatitis A is common and hepatitis B is endemic. Visceral leishmaniasis occurs in the southwest of the country. Cases of Rift Valley Fever have been reported, mostly in the Jizan area.
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.

Health care: Medical facilities are generally of a high standard, but treatment is expensive. Health insurance is essential.

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