Egypt

Destination overview

The Arab Republic of Egypt covers a land area of approximately 1 million km², the same size as Texas and New Mexico combined; >95% of the country is desert (see Map 11.1.4.1). With an estimated 106 million people, Egypt accounts for one-fourth of the Arab world's population. Egypt has long been considered the cradle of civilization and may be the oldest tourist destination on earth. Throughout the world, Egypt is synonymous with the legends of the Pharaohs, the Great Pyramids, treasure-laden tombs, and hieroglyphs. Travelers visit Egypt to see ancient monuments and timeless river vistas along the Nile Valley. Egypt possesses a considerable portion of the world's monuments and is considered "the Mother of the World" by Arabs.

A typical visit to Egypt includes arrival in the capital city of Cairo, one of the largest cities in Africa and the Middle East, with a population of approximately 22 million. Cairo today is a modern, cosmopolitan mix of Arab, African, and European influences. Travelers generally spend at least a few days in Cairo seeing the Egyptian Antiquities Museum, National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (where the mummies are now housed), Pyramids at Giza, Citadel and Mosque of Al-Azhar, and Khan al-Khalili bazaar.

Most travelers include an Upper Nile River cruise as part of their itineraries (Box 11.1.4.1). Egypt is also a beach destination, with more than 1,800 miles of Mediterranean and Red Sea coastlines. Alexandria, Egypt's second largest city, with 5.5 million people, is located on the Mediterranean Sea and has a string of beaches and seafood restaurants. The World War II battlefield of El-Alamein lies along the Mediterranean coast, and divers will find an array of sunken cities and wartime wrecks to explore offshore. Travelers also visit the many resorts along the North Coast, which is referred to as "El-Sahel." These resorts offer a wide array of private secluded beaches as well as beaches with an active night life scene.

Egypt's Red Sea coast has reefs offshore, with diving and snorkeling traditionally centered in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. Edged by coral reefs and teeming with tropical fish, the Sinai Peninsula has excellent diving, snorkeling, and beaches; Sharm El Sheikh is the most developed and visited area of Sinai. Mount Sinai (2,285 m [7,497 ft] above sea level) and Saint Catherine's Monastery in the mountainous interior are popular destinations, especially with religious pilgrims. Adventure travelers favor desert jeep safaris and camel treks to remote oases and spectacular wadis (valleys). Travelers start in Cairo or Assyut and follow the "Great Desert Circuit" through four oases and the White Desert.

Box 11.1.4.1

Map 11.1.4.1: Egypt

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SOURCE:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

A map of Egypt showing major cities, landmarks, and neighboring countries. Egypt is shaded in orange, and the Mediterranean Sea is shown to the north and the Red Sea to the east. Key locations marked on the map include Cairo, Alexandria, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, the Nile River, and the Suez Canal. Notable landmarks such as the Pyramids at Giza, the Valley of the Kings, and Mount Sinai (elevation 2,285 m.) are also marked. The map includes regions like the Siwa Oasis, White Desert, and Gilf Kebir.

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Infectious disease risks

In addition to being up to date on routine vaccines (chickenpox [varicella], diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, shingles, hepatitis B, and influenza), travelers to Egypt should obtain hepatitis A, typhoid, and COVID-19 vaccines. Detailed Egypt-specific travel advice can be found on the Egypt destination page.

Enteric infections and diseases

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food or water (see Hepatitis A chapter). The risk of hepatitis A infection in Egypt is high. Those who are fully vaccinated against hepatitis A have lower risk of infection. Instruct travelers to follow food and water safety precautions (see Food and Water Precautions for Travelers chapter).

Travelers' diarrhea

In most large international tourist hotels, the tap water is adequately chlorinated, but bottled water is generally provided for drinking. Tap water is not safe to drink outside of international tourist hotels because it might come from private water tanks not audited by the Ministry of Health. Eating thoroughly cooked meat and vegetables in tourist hotels, on Nile River cruise ships, and in tourist restaurants is generally safe. Eating raw or undercooked meat or shellfish should be avoided. As in many developing countries, the safety of uncooked vegetables and salads is questionable. The risk of travelers' diarrhea in Egypt is high. Travelers affected by travelers' diarrhea should hydrate to replace lost body fluids and minerals and use antimotility medications (e.g., loperamide) as directed. Clinicians could consider prescribing an antibiotic for travelers to Egypt to empirically self-treat travelers' diarrhea (see Travelers' Diarrhea chapter).

Poliovirus

Vaccine-derived poliovirus was detected in environmental/sewage samples in Egypt during 2022–2023. Travelers who are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated against poliovirus should be vaccinated with the complete series of poliovirus vaccine before travel; accelerated schedules are available. Adult travelers who have completed the primary vaccination series but are at increased risk of exposure to poliovirus should receive a single lifetime poliovirus vaccine booster dose. Travelers at increased risk include those with limited access to clean drinking water and sanitation or travelers intending to work in healthcare settings with direct patient contact, refugee camps, or other humanitarian aid settings (see Egypt destination page for updated information on vaccination requirements).

Respiratory infections and diseases

Coronavirus disease 2019

All travelers going to Egypt should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections

The reported prevalence of HIV in Egypt is low, and the prevalence of other sexually transmitted diseases is not clear. Therefore, following standard precautions for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases is always advised. Egypt has historically had an alarmingly high prevalence of hepatitis C. However, in 2014 Egypt launched an intensive national elimination campaign that has led to successfully transitioning from having one of the highest burdens of hepatitis C in the world to one of the lowest, reducing the prevalence of hepatitis C from 10% to 0.38% in just over a decade.

Soil- and water-borne infections

Schistosomiasis

Egypt implemented a campaign to eliminate Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium, which were endemic. Although Egypt has made significant progress towards eliminating schistosomiasis, travelers should avoid wading, swimming, or other contact with freshwater, including in the Nile River or irrigation canals. Swimming in saltwater pools of desert oases, chlorinated swimming pools, the Mediterranean Sea, or the Red Sea does not pose a risk for acquiring schistosomiasis (see Schistosomiasis chapter).

Vector-borne diseases

Mosquitoes and other biting insects can be problematic for travelers. Avoiding insect bites will prevent local discomfort and irritation and reduce the risk of vector-borne diseases (see Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods chapter). Consider vector-borne diseases in the differential diagnosis of travelers with fever returning from Egypt (see Post-Travel Evaluation of the Ill Traveler chapter).

Dengue and West Nile virus

Dengue is increasingly being reported in Egypt, with rising numbers among travelers to Egypt from other countries (see Dengue chapter). Although some previous studies indicated that West Nile virus transmission is widely distributed, infections in returning travelers appear to be rare.

Malaria

Isolated local transmission of malaria was last reported in Aswan Governorate in 2014. Although CDC does not recommend malaria prophylaxis for people going to Egypt, travelers should practice mosquito bite precautions.

Yellow fever

There is no risk of yellow fever in Egypt. Egypt does, however, require travelers ≥9 months old arriving from countries with risk for yellow fever virus transmission to provide proof of vaccination against this disease. For more details, see Yellow Fever and Yellow Fever Vaccine and Malaria Prevention Information, by Country chapters and the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis webpage.

Environmental hazards and risks

Animal bites and rabies

Rabies is endemic throughout Egypt. For most travelers on a package tour, the risk will be minimal. However, travelers should be aware there are large numbers of stray dogs and cats in urban and tourist areas, and they should avoid contact with all animals — wild, feral, and domestic. Rabies vaccine is available in Egypt for pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis. Human rabies immune globulin is also available; however, availability maybe limited to facilities in large urban cities (see Rabies chapter). Shark attacks are rare in the Red Sea; however, sporadic incidents have been reported, including two attacks each year in 2020, 2022, and 2023.

Climate and sun exposure

Temperature and weather conditions vary widely in Egypt. The desert is extremely hot in summer (>38°C; >100°F) and can be cold in winter (<0°C; <32°F). Thirst is a late indicator of dehydration, and travelers should drink fluids regularly in the heat (see Heat and Cold Illness in Travelers chapter). Because sweat evaporates immediately, people can become dehydrated without realizing it. Travelers who are elderly or take diuretic, anticholinergic, or neuroleptic medications are at increased risk of heat-associated illnesses. To stay cool and protect themselves from sun exposure, travelers should wear a hat, sunglasses, and lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, as well as use sunscreen.

Sandstorms occur sporadically in the desert. Desert sand, dust, and smog can cause eye irritation and exacerbate asthma or other lung disorders (see Air Quality and Ionizing Radiation During Travel chapter). Travelers who wear contact lenses should pack eyeglasses and contact lens care supplies.

Safety and security

Crime

Most criminal acts in Egypt are crimes of opportunity such as purse snatching and pickpocketing. Travelers should stay vigilant against overcharges for services and be aware of common scams targeting tourists worldwide. The Department of State advises against travel to Sinai Peninsula (except for air travel to Sharm El Sheikh), the Western Desert, and border areas due to risk of terrorism. Military and police road checkpoints are common, and security services enforce official travel restrictions. Travelers should check the U.S. Department of State Egypt International Travel Information for up-to-date information on travel restrictions and safety precautions before travel. Educate travelers about the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which sends electronic updates to enrolled travelers about safety conditions at their destination.

Traffic-related injuries

Traffic incidents are common in Egypt due to overcrowded roads and reckless driving. Travelers should always wear seat belts (see Injury and Death During Travel chapter). Pedestrians should be careful because traffic rules are different in Egypt and pedestrians do not have right of way when in a crosswalk.

Availability and quality of medical care

Hotels in Egypt are required by law to have an onsite clinic and resident physician. If further clinical care is required, the traveler would be referred to a hospital. Hospitals are available throughout the metropolitan areas. Most medications are available without a prescription; however, travelers should bring an adequate supply of any routine prescription medications (see Travelers with Chronic Illnesses and Traveling with Prohibited or Restricted Medications chapters).