Home. Egypt Health & Safety

About Egypt health and safety, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Those arriving in transit from such areas without a certificate will be detained at the airport until their onward flight departs.

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. Drinking water outside main cities and towns carries a greater risk and should always be sterilised.

Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Public hospitals are open to tourists. Health insurance is strongly advised.

Tourists who visit Egypt are of course familiar with the tourist police, who remain a constant presence, as well the normal police force. They are all over the tourist areas, with the specific job of protecting tourists. However, there has been a vast increase in secret police, not because of any specific threat, but simply as a proactive step due to the violence in Israel and Lebanon. Zamalak specifically, where many of the embassies are located, is crawling with secret police, and their job is, like the tourist police, to make sure that all remains safe.

Egypt Climate  -   Cities and Towns - Accommodation and Food