Travel Health: Anyone arriving in Saudi Arabia from a country infected with
yellow fever requires a vaccination certificate for entry. People
travelling to perform Hajj and Umrah are required to be inoculated
against meningitis before travel and must present a vaccination
certificate on arrival; a meningococcal vaccine is recommended for
all travellers. Respiratory infections are common among pilgrims
during the Hajj season; Influenza vaccine is recommended for all
pilgrims during the Hajj. Not compulsory, but definitely advisable,
is vaccination against hepatitis A, polio and typhoid fever. There
is a malaria risk in the south and parts of the western region of
the country and visitors should take advice on anti-malarial
precautions at least four weeks before leaving; an outbreak of
cerebral malaria has occurred in Jizan. Rift Valley Fever has also
occurred, mainly in the Jizan area. Dengue fever has been reported.
An outbreak of bird flu was confirmed in April 2007; however the
risk is low for travellers, but contact with domestic, caged and
wild birds should be avoided and poultry and egg dishes well
cooked. Food poisoning is a risk outside the good hotels. Visitors
should only drink bottled water. The standard of medical care and
facilities in Saudi Arabia is high, but treatment is expensive,
therefore health insurance is strongly advised for all
travellers.
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