Middle East and North Africa

A (H1N1) – Swine Flu

The Algerian authorities have informed us that anyone suspected of having swine flu will be quarantined and transported to one of the 109 designated hospitals in the country. Once at the hospital further tests will be carried out, samples will be tested in Algiers, and treatment will be carried out as appropriate. A number of schools have also been closed following suspected outbreaks.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Algeria and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

In 2008 there were confirmed reports of an outbreak of Typhoid fever in the Djelfa region. Travellers should practice strict food and water hygiene. Young children, those visiting friends and relatives and long-term visitors, travelling to this area may wish to consider vaccination before travelling to this region of Algeria.

Facilities at private clinics are usually more comprehensive than at government hospitals.

 

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 21,000 adults aged 15 or over in Algeria were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see our HIV and AIDS page.

For more general health information see our travel health page and Swine Flu of the FCO website and the UK Department of Health website. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice.