Moderate riskAfrica · Northern AfricaEgypt Travel Health Guide
Moderate risk
Egypt carries a CDC Level 2 travel health notice. No malaria risk. Key travel vaccines: COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B.
Compiled by Voyax Health from CDC Travelers' Health: Egypt. Editorial sections reviewed by Voyax Health pharmacists ·
Overall risk
Moderate risk
Malaria
None
Best time to visit
October to April. Luxor and Aswan are extreme in summer; the Red Sea coast is pleasant year-round.
Travel health in Egypt
Egypt has no malaria and no yellow fever, so the health work is about the stomach and the heat. Travelers' diarrhea is very common on Nile cruises and in Cairo; hepatitis A and typhoid vaccination are recommended for almost everyone. The Nile itself carries schistosomiasis, so swimming or wading in fresh water is best avoided. Rabies is present in dogs and cats. Summer heat in Upper Egypt regularly exceeds 110 °F, and heat illness sends more visitors to clinics than any infection.
Recommended vaccines
Routine Vaccines
Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines including chickenpox, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, flu, measles-mumps-rubella, polio, and shingles.
COVID-19
All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated travelers to Egypt age 1 year and older. Infants 6-11 months should also get vaccinated.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for unvaccinated travelers under 60 years old. Those 60 and older may also get vaccinated.
Measles
Measles cases are rising worldwide. All travelers should be fully vaccinated with MMR vaccine at least two weeks before travel, including infants 6-11 months.
Typhoid
Typhoid vaccine is recommended for most travelers to Egypt, especially if staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.
Polio
Poliovirus has been identified in Egypt. Adults with complete childhood polio vaccination who are at increased risk may need a booster. Unvaccinated travelers should complete the polio vaccine series before travel.
Rabies
Rabies is present in dogs and some wildlife in Egypt. Consider pre-exposure vaccination if you'll be around animals or may have difficulty accessing medical care quickly.
Yellow Fever
Yellow fever vaccine is not recommended for disease prevention in Egypt, but is required for entry if coming from countries with yellow fever risk or having airport layovers >12 hours in such countries.
Disease risks
Traveler's Diarrhea
Rural areas, especially near Nile Delta; low risk in Cairo, Alexandria.
Seasonal timing
When health risks peak through the year — plan around them.
Peak
May to September
Heat illness
Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel exceed 110 °F. Tour temples at dawn, hydrate with electrolytes, and rest midday.
Peak
Year-round, higher in summer
Travelers' diarrhea
Very common on Nile cruises. Carry oral rehydration salts and a standby antibiotic.
Peak
Year-round
Schistosomiasis
Freshwater contact in the Nile and canals. Swimming pools and the Red Sea are safe.
Water & food safety
Water
Do not drink tap water. Bottled water is cheap and everywhere; check seals, as refilled bottles are sold in tourist areas. Nile cruise ships use bottled or treated water for drinks and ice. Avoid swimming or wading in the Nile and irrigation canals because of schistosomiasis.
Food
Freshly cooked koshari, grilled meats and bread are safe choices. Cruise-ship and hotel buffets are the usual source of illness: choose hot items, skip salads and cut fruit washed in tap water, and be cautious with dairy and mayonnaise-based dishes.
Medications
Pharmacies are widespread in cities and tourist areas and sell most medications, including many antibiotics, without prescription. Bring your own controlled medications with documentation; Egypt is strict about tramadol and some anxiety medications, which have led to detentions.
On the ground
Medical facilities
Cairo has good private hospitals (As-Salam International, Cleopatra, Dar Al Fouad) and Red Sea resorts have private clinics. Care in Upper Egypt and on cruise ships is limited to a ship's doctor or local clinic; serious cases go to Cairo.
Travel insurance
Travel medical insurance with evacuation cover is advised. Check that diving in the Red Sea is covered if planned.
Emergency numbers
Police
122
Medical / Ambulance
123
Fire
180
Tourist Police
126
U.S. Embassy
+20-2-2797-3300
Egypt travel health FAQ
Do I need malaria pills or the yellow fever vaccine for Egypt?▼
No to both. Egypt has no malaria transmission and no yellow fever. A yellow fever certificate is required only if you arrive from a country with yellow fever, such as Sudan, Ethiopia or Uganda.
Which vaccines do I need for a Nile cruise?▼
Routine vaccines, hepatitis A and typhoid for essentially everyone, and hepatitis B for most travellers. Rabies vaccination is worth discussing for longer stays or anyone likely to be around animals. The CDC has also recommended a one-time adult polio booster for Egypt in recent years because of poliovirus detections; check the current guidance.
Can I bring tramadol or anxiety medication into Egypt?▼
Tramadol and several sedatives are controlled in Egypt and travellers have been detained for carrying them without documentation. Bring only personal-use quantities in original packaging with a doctor's letter and prescription, and consider whether an alternative medication would be simpler. Voyax Health's medication screening flags these before you travel.
More country guides
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Plan your Egypt trip
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Build my Trip KitSources: CDC Travelers' Health: Egypt · WHO International Travel and Health. Last updated 2026-07-31. Health conditions and entry rules change — verify with the CDC, WHO and your destination’s authorities before travel. This page is informational and not a substitute for advice from a travel-medicine provider.