Middle East and North Africa

Healthcare facilities in major cities in Saudi Arabia are of a high standard.  Outside these major cities most towns have a health centre or basic hospital.  Serious cases generally necessitate ambulance/air transfer to hospitals in a major city that might be some distance away.

There have been cases of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in south-west Saudi Arabia, mainly in the Jizan area.  There have also been cases of cerebral malaria but only in Jizan itself.  The outbreaks of cerebral malaria are local and do not affect Jeddah or any other areas of Saudi Arabia.  If you intend to visit the Jizan region should you seek medical advice on Rift Valley Fever and cerebral malaria before travelling.  There have been a number of isolated cases of dengue fever in Jeddah over the last year.  You should take sensible precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Particularly during Hajj and Ramadan, contagious diseases spread quickly, and pilgrims should take basic medicines with them and consume adequate liquids and salts.  Saudi government regulations set out that ACWY quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine is mandatory for people travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and Umrah.

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 Saudi Arabia 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 Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

 

For more general health information see Travel Health.

 

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

 

There have been outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in the Wafra Al-Gamma in Al-Katief district, Eastern District (Ash Sharqiyah) and at Hijrat al-Barat in Al-Kharj Governate, Riyadh.  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.

See Avian and Pandemic Flu for more details.

 

A (H1N1) - Swine Flu

 

There are confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) in Saudi Arabia, including deaths (source: Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health). The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is dedicated Swine Flu page on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at: www.dh.gov.uk.

There is screening for H1N1 taking place at all ports of entry to Saudi Arabia. All passengers arriving in Saudi Arabia will be subject to a temperature check. If you have an elevated temperature you may be tested for H1N1. If tested you will have to wait in the airport for the results and may be subject to lengthy delays. Passengers with negative results will be released. Passengers who test positive will be quarantined at a local hospital.

The Saudi authorities have issued specific advice to pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah this year.  You should carefully consider the information provided on the website of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in London before travelling and check the Pilgramage section above.