Advanced search
image
Travel & living abroad

Middle East and North Africa

Kuwait

 Flag of Kuwait
Still current at: 26 November 2009
Updated: 01 October 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary (consular assistance figures). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

Health

There is a state medical service with local clinics and several good hospitals. There are also a number of doctors and dentists in private practice/hospitals. Fees are controlled by the State and are expensive.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

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

For more general information see travel health.
 

Avian influenza (bird flu)

 
Early in 2007 the Kuwaiti authorities reported outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu) in the Wafra area (60km south-west of Kuwait city) and in Kuwait zoo. There have been no human infections or deaths reported.
 
The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

H1N1 influenza (swine flu)


There have been confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in Kuwait, including a death (source: the Kuwait Government). The Kuwaiti authorities are screening visitors and transiting passengers for A (H1N1). This may result in the request for payment for medical procedures. The World Health Organisation (WHO) pandemic threat alert phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. There is a dedicated swine flu page on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website.

Any person arriving from a country diagnosed with Swine Flu, eg UK, will be screened in arrival in Kuwait. The previous three-part health surveillance cards are no longer being given out. Passengers are now provided with an information card, instructing them to report to a clinic if they are experiencing influenza-like symptoms. If you are diagnosed with H1N1 Influenza you can expect to be quarantined in the infectious diseases hospital until cleared.

Share this with:

Contacts

Kuwait, British Embassy

Address:

British Embassy
Arabian Gulf Street
Dasman

Postal Address
British Embassy
P O Box 2
Safat 13001
Kuwait

Trade and Investment:
P O Box 300
Safat 13003
Kuwait

Telephone:

(+965) 2259 4320

Fax:

Political & Defence:     (+965) 2259 4339
Consular:                   (+965) 2259 4359
Trade & Investment:   (+965) 2259 4368
Management:             (+965) 2259 4352

Office hours:

Local Time:
Sunday-Thursday: 0730-1430

GMT:
Sun-Thur: 0430-1130
The weekend in Kuwait is Fri-Sat

Public access:

Consular, Passport & Notarial Services are availabe to British Passport Holders at the Embassy: Sun - Thu 0800 - 1300

Access to other Embassy Sections: By appointment only

Visa Applications must be lodged at the: Visa Application Centre (VAC).

Website: http://ukinkuwait.fco.gov.uk

Sign-up for travel alerts

Subscribe to receive email alerts for the country of your choice


 

LOCATE: Register with us

Our LOCATE service can help in a crisis