Basic Health and Safety

In this section, you will find information on how to stay well while in Egypt. The process of wellness starts before you go to Egypt with a visit to your doctor. You may need to get inoculations to protect yourself from infectious diseases endemic in Egypt and the countries you will visit.

Planning for a Healthy and Safe Time Abroad: Learn all you can about the health and safety issues of all the countries where you plan to study and travel. This includes reading about the cultural and political climate of those countries, as well as learning about how others view people from your country, race, ethnic group, religion, gender and sexual orientation.

Planning for a Healthy and Safe Time in Egypt: Preparation for your time in Egypt should include an understanding of the current political, cultural and religious events of the country as well as the region, and an awareness of the social climate. Regional tensions in North Africa and the Middle East, as well as health concerns, will present certain health and safety challenges to students interested in studying abroad in Egypt. Students are advised to be alert to their surroundings, and be particularly aware of any health and safety advisories for the areas in which they will be studying.

Getting a Balanced Perspective on Health and Safety in Egypt: In order to gain a more objective perspective on exactly how safe travel to Egypt really is, view the health and safety reports on Egypt from a variety of sources. We have provided a table below with links (on the left) to the Australian, Canadian and British governments’ country advisories on Egypt. On the right side of the table are links to those same governments’ perspectives on safety in the United States, which you can use to compare health and safety issues in Egypt and the United States.

	Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Egypt	Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: USA
	Canada: Consular Affairs - Egypt	Canada: Consular Affairs - USA
	United Kingdom: Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Office - Egypt	United Kingdom: Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Office - USA

Top Ten List of Health and Safety Issues: Visit this page to see the top ten health and safety issues you should be aware of before you depart for Egypt and the other countries to which you may be traveling.

• Infectious Diseases and Inoculations: Malaria and Yellow Fever are endemic in the North Africa region. In addition, there is a low risk of exposure to exotic diseases like Rift Valley Fever (RVF) which flares up around the country from time to time. Notify your doctor that you plan to travel to Egypt so that he/she can prescribe the appropriate shots and pills, and take the appropriate medications with you if your doctor thinks it's necessary. Find out about any potential side-effects of shots and pills that you may take. For more information on diseases prevalent in Egypt, please see the CDC link in the Resources section of this Handbook.
• Physicals and Check-ups: Get a complete physical, eye exam and dental check-up before going to Egypt. The quality of dental and medical care may be different in Egypt and/or more expensive than similar care would be in the United States.
• Can You Drink the Water?: Tap water in Egypt is not drinkable – avoid contact with unfiltered and unbottled water, including water used to brush your teeth, ice cubes, and other situations where you may consume unfiltered tap water. To avoid diarrhea and other bacteria, purify unsafe water before you drink it. Make sure water bottles come sealed when you buy them. You should be safe sticking to well-known brands of bottled water. Also, avoid swimming in the water in the Nile and canals, walking barefoot along the Nile shore or drinking unfiltered river water as you will be at risk to contract bacterial infections, hepatitis and/or the parasitic disease schistosomiasis.
• Food Safety: Poor refrigeration, undercooked meat, and roadside/outdoor vendors could pose problems related to food contamination. Such roadside food carts may be popular eateries for many Egyptians, but your stomach may not tolerate the same food as well. You can assume that properly prepared and thoroughly cooked meat is safe to eat. However, stay away from raw vegetables as they could carry parasites from being washed in tap water, and could lead to diarrhea or worse. If you get diarrhea or food poisoning, remember to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. As with any illness, consider seeing a doctor if your condition worsens. Give your body time to adjust to new types of foods you will be eating.
• Laws and Codes of Conduct: Make yourself aware of both the rules and regulations of your study abroad program sponsor, and the local laws and customs of Egypt and the countries which you will be visiting. Understand that you will not only have to conform to the legal system of Egypt, but also obey the codes of conduct required of program participants. Also recognize that certain laws may vary from region to region or even city to city.
• Mental and Physical Health: Consider your own mental and physical health issues when applying for a study abroad program, and make all your necessary health information available to your program's administrators in the U.S. and abroad so they can assist you with any special needs, or advise you on the risks you might face. Study abroad may include both physical and mental challenges for students, so make sure you establish a support network of program administrators, family and friends who can help you. Medical care in Egypt varies widely by region. If you require emergency or intensive care facilities, be advised that they are limited and not of the same standard as U.S. medical facilities. Although there are Western-trained doctors throughout the country, you can expect to receive the best health care in Cairo. Outside of Cairo, standards drop and it may be more difficult to find medical care. If you choose to travel on a Nile cruise boats, be advised that you may not have access to a doctor on board. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Cairo for a list of available medical facilities and English-speaking doctors.
• Prescriptions: To be cautious, get a doctor's signed prescription for any medication you have to bring with you to Egypt, and get it translated into Arabic. However, if you can, take a supply large enough to cover your stay while abroad, just in case you can’t fill your prescription while abroad. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Cairo or your program administrator/advisor to find out if and how much U.S. prescription medication is allowed into Egypt. Also include a copy of your prescription for your glasses or contact lenses. Bring an extra pair of glasses.
• First-Aid Kit: Consider a well-stocked first-aid kit as a first line of defense. Some items to include are: sunscreen, bandages, flashlight, sterile pads, insect repellent, adhesive tape, aspirin, antacid, anti-diarrhea tablets, anti-malarial medication, extra bottled water, feminine protection, condoms, rubber gloves, etc.
• Fitness and Exercise: Try to get fit in the time you have before departing for Egypt. A healthy body can help you fight off illness and recover faster if you do get sick. Even though it may be harder to follow a structured workout routine, try to stay fit while in Egypt. Exercise also helps to increase energy levels and combat depression. Get a good pair of comfortable walking shoes. Without access to a car or public transportation in Egypt, you may have to do quite a bit of walking. Break in your shoes before you go.
• Emergency Contacts: Keep your program staff and your emergency contacts at home and in Egypt well informed of your whereabouts and activities, and provide these people with copies of your important travel documents (i.e. passport, visa, plane tickets, traveler's checks, and prescriptions, etc.).
• Land mines: According to the U.S. Department of State, there have been several instances of tourists who have died driving off-road into landmine fields left over from the various Middle Eastern wars and skirmishes. Though they are generally fenced off with barbed wire, it is old and not otherwise marked. Furthermore, Nile flooding of desert areas can cause land mines to move, and travelers through Egypt are warned not to drive through sand buildup in the road.
• Air Travel: When you travel by air, drink a lot of non-alcoholic fluids, stay away from caffeine, eat light, and stretch often to avoid jetlag. Many airlines are now required to show an in-flight video of stretching exercises you can do on the plane in order to avoid the potential formation of blood clots, which can be caused by cabin pressure. A direct flight is usually easier for most travelers, but flights broken up by stops can also lessen jet lag.
• Transportation: Accidents involving in-country travel, whether by air, bus, train, taxi, car, etc., are a major cause of injury to students abroad. It is important to understand what the safe modes of travel are in Egypt and in the countries to which you plan to travel. Travelers are advised not to travel alone at any time of day for safety reasons. For more information on transportation in Egypt, please visit the U.S. Department of State.

  • Bus: Egypt is serviced by three main bus companies, which basically cover different areas of the country. They are: Upper Egypt Bus Company, East Delta Bus Company and West Delta Bus Company. Travelers are advised that the quality of buses ranges from new or well-maintained a/c buses to older, poorly maintained vehicles, and therefore a safe ride is not always guaranteed. In addition, buses and commuter microbuses tend to be crowded and can pose a safety risk for the unaware traveler (be mindful of pickpocketers and other passengers that pay you an unusual amount of attention).
  • Train/Metro: Though limited, trains are one option for long-distance travel. The quality ranges from fast, generally well-maintained and air-conditioned to slow, crowded and hot. For security reasons, Egyptian authorities want tourists to use only specially designated a/c trains between Cairo and Upper Egypt, so railway clerks have been instructed not to sell other kinds of tickets. A metro is available in Cairo.
  • Air: EgyptAir is the national airline of Egypt, and is owned/operated by the government. It provides domestic service to a number of destinations, flying out of its hub in Cairo. The airline also provides international service to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. Expect airfare to be quite a bit more expensive than bus or rail fare.
  • Boat: Nile cruises in Egypt have grown into a booming industry. The range in quality and price is wide, so take care in choosing which boat and what level of luxury you will take. Most boats leave from Luxor, although you can catch some from the port in Aswan. Other boating transportation includes feluccas and local ferries. If you need to travel to Sinai, a new catamaran ferries passengers across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba. It is a fast alternative to travel by land, across the Suez Canal.
  • Taxis: Taxis are a common and popular way to travel around Cairo, Alexandria and other Egyptian cities. However, keep in mind that neither Egyptian driving nor taxi “customs” lend themselves to safety. It is a common practice for taxi drivers to pick up other passengers along the way who are headed in the same direction, meaning that you may have little or no control over who is in the vehicle with you. Furthermore, to contend with the often chaotic and reckless driving of other Egyptians, your taxi driver will likely also adopt “unconventional” techniques. For longer distances, a common practice is to hire a “service taxi” or “servees” because they are faster and more comfortable than bus or train travel. Passengers will frequently hire these taxis for cross-desert travel, or transportation to the next town. However, there is no guarantee that these “servees” (which are often large cars or minibuses) will not break down en route. In addition, like city taxis, you are not guaranteed to be the only passenger and hence have little control over who your fellow passengers will be. Those traveling alone should not use this method of transportation as there is almost no way to track the journey (no route numbers or schedules) and one could easily become stranded in the middle of nowhere, between stops.
  • Cars (Driving): We strongly recommend against driving in Egypt. According the U.S. Department of State, “The roads in Egypt can be hazardous, particularly at night outside major cities. Cars and trucks frequently travel at night without headlights and at a high rate of speed. There are few, if any, areas for a vehicle with mechanical problems to pull off the paved surface, and no system for warning other motorists.” In addition, the minimum age to drive is 25 so most students studying abroad will not be old enough to drive legally while in Egypt.
    
    However, if you do decide to drive, an International Driving License and insurance is required for all vehicles, including rental vehicles. You should obtain full coverage insurance when doing any driving in Egypt. If a driver is involved in a vehicle accident resulting in damages or injuries to another party, the driver may be arrested and detained by Egyptian authorities until a settlement is arranged with the injured party. If you injure someone in an accident, or hit a child who may have darted into the road, be forewarned that the family may take immediate revenge. Furthermore, depending upon the extent of damages or injuries to the other party, you may face charges filed by the Egyptian judicial authorities.
    
    For more health and safety information about driving abroad, the Association for Safe International Road Travel offers road travel reports, seasonal hazards, safety tips and common driver behaviors for travel abroad.
• Alcohol and Drugs: Use and abuse of alcohol and drugs abroad can increase the risk of accident and injury. Many study abroad accidents and injuries are related to the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs abroad. Violating drug laws in Egypt may result in very serious consequences. In some countries you may visit, being found guilty of violating drug laws can result in consequences as serious as death.
• Setting an Example: Set a good example. Remember you are like an ambassador for your U.S. college or university, as well as your culture and country. Behave in a way that is respectful of others' rights and well-being and encourage others to do the same.