Egypt

Have a safe trip with travel vaccines and advice from medical professionals.

Travel health and safety for Egypt 🇪🇬

Famous for its ancient civilization and rich historical heritage, Egypt's most iconic landmarks include the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and the Valley of the Kings.

Egypt has a diverse landscape that includes the Nile River, expansive deserts like the Sahara and the Western Desert, and coastal areas along the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea. Egypt offers a range of activities for travelers, such as Nile River cruises, diving and snorkeling in the Red Sea, camel rides in the desert, and exploring ancient temples and archaeological sites.

Egyptian cuisine is known for its flavours and spices, with popular dishes like koshari (a mix of rice, lentils, and pasta), falafel, and kebabs. Travelers should always practice good hygiene like frequent hand-washing to avoid traveler’s diarrhea. Be aware of potential health concerns in Egypt and take precautions, such as drinking bottled water and considering vaccinations for diseases like hepatitis A and typhoid.

Travel Immunizations for Egypt

What vaccines do I need for Egypt? Get all the information and vaccinations you need to minimize travel health risks.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus can cause liver disease, and in rare cases, liver failure and death.

Can be spread by fecal-oral transmission, consuming contaminated food or water, or close, personal contact with an infected person.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and joint pain.

Typhoid

Typhoid is a bacterial infection contracted through contaminated food or water

Symptoms include high fever, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal issues.
Typhoid can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that targets the liver and may cause chronic infections.

Its primary mode of transmission is through direct blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through unprotected sex or sharing needles.
Symptoms may range from mild to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting and joint pain.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral infection transmitted through animal bites.

Symptoms may initially include fever, headache, and discomfort at the bite site, progressing to more severe neurological symptoms. Rabies is fatal if it is not treated before symptoms develop.
Rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected individuals.
Symptoms initially resemble a common cold, followed by a characteristic rash fever, cough, runny nose, small, white spots inside the mouth and throat red eyes, sleepiness, and irritability.

Polio

Polio is a highly infectious vaccine-preventable disease.

Polio can infect the central nervous system and damage nerve cells that activate muscles.
Spread from person to person and through contaminated food and water.
Polio virus can cause paralysis and death in individuals of any age who are not immune.

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the provided information, however, it is not feasible for us to update daily. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our Travel Medicine Professionals for current, personalized advice and answers to any questions you may have.

Health Canada strongly advises travelers ensure their routine vaccinations are up to date, including:

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Guards against the varicella-zoster virus, responsible for chickenpox.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)

Protects against three different bacterial infections.

Flu (Influenza)

Vaccination against seasonal influenza strains is essential.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Provides immunity against all three diseases in one shot.

Polio

Essential for guarding against the poliovirus.

Shingles

Offers protection against a viral infection that causes painful rashes.

COVID-19

The ongoing pandemic necessitates adherence to vaccination guidelines and preventive measures.

Egypt Concerns / Health Canada Recommendations

Traveler's Diarrhea

Most common illness for travelers, from consuming contaminated food & water

Affects up to 70% of travelers and risks minimized with good hygiene and safe food/drink choices (eg. avoid raw foods, ice in drinks).
Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, bloating.

Insect Bite Prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. Cover up and use mosquito repellents to protect against infection.

Chikungunya: Symptoms include joint pains, fever, rash, and headache.
Dengue: Symptoms include high-grade fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and nausea/vomiting.

Zika: Symptoms include rash, itch, mild fever, headache, red eyes, muscle, and joint pains.

Over the Counter Medications for Travel to Egypt

Pain Relief

Medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) can be helpful for managing headaches, muscle pain, or fever.

Anti-Diarrheal Medications

It’s advisable to carry over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (e.g., Imodium) to treat mild cases of traveler’s diarrhea. However, it’s important to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if diarrhea persists or worsens.

Antacids

Antacids like Tums or Pepto-Bismol can provide relief from indigestion or heartburn, which can sometimes occur when trying new foods or experiencing changes in diet during travel.

Allergy Medications

If you have known allergies, carrying antihistamines like cetirizine(e.g., Reactine) or diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl) can help manage allergic reactions to environmental allergens or insect bites.

Motion Sickness Medications

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider carrying medication like dimenhydrinate (e.g., Gravol) to alleviate symptoms during long journeys or when traveling by car, train, or boat.

Sun Protection

It is essential to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Use sunscreen with a high SPF, wear hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing.

Medical Services and Facilities in Egypt

Public Hospitals: Egypt has a network of public hospitals and clinics that provide healthcare services to the general public. These facilities are typically located in urban areas and major cities.
Private Hospitals and Clinics: There are also private hospitals and clinics in Egypt that offer a range of medical services. Private healthcare facilities often provide higher quality care and have shorter wait times compared to public hospitals.
International Hospitals and Clinics: In major cities like Cairo, there are international hospitals and clinics that cater specifically to the needs of expatriates and tourists. These facilities typically have English-speaking staff and provide high-quality medical care.

Consular Assistance in Egypt

In case of emergency, dial:

Police: 112
Medical Assistance: 113
Firefighters: 110

Cairo - Embassy of Canada

Address: Nile City Towers, 2005 (A) Corniche El Nile, South Tower, 18th floor 11221

Phone: +20 2 2461-2200

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/egypt-egypte/index.aspx?lang=eng

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Brought to you by a team of trusted healthcare professionals

We know how hard it can be for Canadians to get the healthcare they need, when they need it. That’s why Rockdoc is on a mission to help Canadians navigate healthcare. We have decades of experience providing emergent, urgent, and continuing healthcare services and solutions – meeting and exceeding the standard of care for our patients and our communities.

Dr. Sam Gutman

CEO and Chief Medical Officer
MD CCFP, FCFP, EM-SEM

Dr. Shaan Pawa

Associate Medical Director
MD CCFP-EM CTH®

Kristyna Sorensen

Medical Operations Manager
RN, BSN