Egypt

Recommended Vaccinations For Egypt

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. All arrivals from Sudan are required to possess either a vaccination certificate or a location certificate issued by a Sudanese official centre stating that they have not been in Sudan south of 15°N within the previous 6 days.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within Egypt, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.

Polio Vaccine

A single lifetime booster dose of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) is recommended for adults who received the routine polio vaccination series as children

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Recommended Medications For Egypt

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Because the risk of exposure to malaria is so low, anti-malaria medications are not recommended.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Egypt

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Egypt.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Egypt through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever has occurred in this country.

For Some Travellers

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Egypt through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus.

Zika Fever

There is an increased risk of this disease in this country.

Polio

There is a risk of acquiring Polio in the country and is transmitted from one person to another when droplets from a sneeze or cough of an infected person gets into the mouth of another person.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

African Tick Bite Fever

There is an increased risk of this disease in this country.

West Nile Fever

Outbreaks of West Nile virus occur in both tropical and temperate regions in Egypt.

Schistosomiasis

The parasite that causes schistosomiasis is found in the Nile delta area and the Nile valley of Egypt. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Malaria

There is a very limited risk for malaria from June to October in some areas. Although the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states there is no malaria transmission, the World Health Organization reported some cases in El Faiyum Governorate in 2013. NaTHNac reports sporadic cases in the Aswan Governorate in 2014.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Egypt. The risk is higher when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

This disease may occur in the country.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

This disease may occur in the country.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. All arrivals from Sudan are required to possess either a vaccination certificate or a location certificate issued by a Sudanese official centre stating that they have not been in Sudan south of 15°N within the previous 6 days.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Leishmaniasis

There is a very low risk of leishmaniasis in this country. There have been some cases in rural areas of Egypt, and those most at risk are soldiers, labourers and immuno-compromised adults.

Safety & Security in Egypt

Personal Safety

Crime rates in Cairo and Alexandria remain moderate. Most crimes targeting foreigners are opportunistic such as purse snatching and pickpocketing, particularly in crowded tourist areas and on public transport. Violent crime against tourists is rare. Sexual assaults have been reported to embassies, with the majority occurring in Red Sea resort areas and often involving hotel staff or excursion workers. You should report any crime to the tourist police (dial 126) before leaving the country, as prosecution becomes difficult once you depart. Overcharging and scams targeting tourists are common at archaeological sites and markets. Aggressive vendors may offer unwanted gifts and then demand payment. Tourist police are stationed at most major sites to assist. In recent years, incidents on liveaboard dive vessels have raised concerns. Between 2019 and 2024, 16 accidents involving Red Sea dive boats resulted in fatalities. Shark attacks in the Red Sea remain rare but have occurred, including a fatal attack near Marsa Alam in December 2024. Book dive trips only through reputable operators and request thorough safety briefings.

Extreme Violence

Egypt experienced a significant decrease in terrorist activity in 2023 compared to previous years. ISIL-Sinai Province conducted fewer than 10 attacks in 2023, most targeting security forces in North Sinai. Most incidents involved IEDs and small arms, resulting in fewer than five casualties each. Terrorist attacks remain possible anywhere in Egypt, with religious sites and tourist locations as potential targets. Egyptian authorities maintain a significant security presence at tourist sites with armed police, metal detectors, and plainclothes officers. In October 2023, two Israeli tourists and an Egyptian tour guide were killed in a shooting attack in Alexandria. In May 2024, an Israeli man was killed in Alexandria by a group claiming retaliation for Gaza. A 2023 shooting killed two Israeli tourists and one guide. Despite heightened risks, millions of tourists visit Egypt safely each year. The government heavily guards tourist zones because tourism remains vital to the economy. North Sinai remains particularly dangerous with occasional attacks on security and civilians. Travel advisories warn that extremists continue to express interest in plotting attacks, though the overall threat has decreased substantially from peak levels in previous years.

Political Unrest

The political environment in Egypt is restrictive. Security forces have responded forcefully to protests and disturbances. Demonstrations occur occasionally and are unpredictable, often arising from political or economic issues, on holidays, and during international events. Past demonstrations have turned violent. Foreign nationals involved in any political activity or posting content critical of the government on social media risk detention. Between July and September 2024, authorities detained over 119 people for calling for anti-government protests on social media, including posts complaining about economic conditions and electricity cuts. In January 2024, price hikes affecting telecom and metro fares sparked calls for protests. Security forces quickly crushed street activism that emerged in October 2023 during the Gaza conflict. President Sisi maintains a secure hold on power backed by the military, though the country faces significant economic challenges including inflation that peaked at 38 percent in 2023 and currency devaluation exceeding 200 percent since 2022. Parliament provides no meaningful check on executive power, with laws originating from Sisi’s cabinet receiving approval without contestation. Even being near protests can result in detention. In 2019 and 2020, security forces arrested thousands during anti-government demonstrations. Avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings as situations can change quickly without warning.

Areas To Avoid

Do not travel to the Governorate of North Sinai, including the Taba-Suez Road, due to high terrorist threat and violent crime. ISIS frequently attacks security forces and civilians there. Do not travel within 40 to 50 kilometers of Egypt’s border with Libya due to terrorism risks. Avoid the Western Desert except when travelling with licensed tour companies, as remote areas lack infrastructure and emergency services. The Black Desert and White Desert require permits and licensed guides. Egyptian border areas are under military control with restricted or prohibited movement for non-military personnel. The Northern and Middle Sinai Peninsula remains particularly dangerous with occasional attacks. U.S. government employees can only travel to Sharm El-Sheikh and nearby Red Sea coastal areas within the Sinai due to limited emergency infrastructure. Access to St. Catherine’s Monastery and Mount Sinai requires permission from Egyptian Military Intelligence and Tourist Police. Some roads in southeastern Egypt are off-limits to foreigners. In Cairo, avoid lower-income neighborhoods after dark including al-Matariya, Ain Shams, the City of the Dead, and Mansheyat Nasr. Popular demonstration sites include Tahrir Square and areas outside the American University in Cairo. Upper Egypt cities of Luxor and Aswan and Red Sea resorts like Hurghada, Marsa Alam, and Sharm El-Sheikh are generally considered safe but require standard precautions. Unexploded landmines remain a risk in desert and coastal areas including the Mediterranean shore, Western Desert, Sinai Peninsula, and western shore of the Gulf of Suez.