When visiting Egypt, it's important to take several health and safety precautions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip:
Health Precautions:
- Vaccinations: Ensure you're up to date on routine vaccines. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid, and rabies vaccinations are recommended depending on your activities and areas of travel. If you're arriving from a country with yellow fever, a vaccination certificate is required (CDC Website).
- Water and Food Safety: Drink only sealed bottled water and avoid tap water, including ice made from it. Be cautious with food, especially from street vendors. Opt for well-cooked meals and peelable fruits.
- Avoiding Parasitic Diseases: Be cautious around the Nile and other freshwater bodies to avoid schistosomiasis (bilharzia). Use insect repellent and mosquito nets to protect against mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria, although the risk is low (CDC Website).
- General Hygiene: Wash hands regularly, use hand sanitizer, and avoid consuming unpasteurized dairy products.
Safety Precautions:
- General Safety: Egypt is generally safe for tourists, but be aware of petty crimes like pickpocketing, especially in crowded tourist areas. Avoid isolated areas and be cautious at night.
- Traffic and Road Safety: Exercise extreme caution when crossing streets. Traffic can be chaotic, and driving habits may not adhere to traffic regulations. Use reputable taxi services.
- Women's Safety: Female travelers may experience unwanted attention. Dressing conservatively and traveling in groups can help mitigate this. Women should avoid sitting in the front seat of taxis and use women-only carriages on the metro.
- Health Services: Private clinics in Cairo are generally reliable, but ensure you have travel health insurance that covers medical expenses. Carry necessary prescription medications in their original containers.
By taking these precautions, you can help ensure a safer and healthier trip to Egypt.