Traveling
to Saudi Arabia
Requirements
Travelers going to Saudi Arabia, during the Haj, are required to have meningitis
vaccination. This vaccine has at times been difficult to order, but is currently
available.
Our clinic will order this vaccine if given enough notice. The only other
required vaccine is yellow fever, but this is only needed a traveler is arriving
from, or passing through, a yellow fever infected country.
Recommendations
There are several other recommendations we recommend to pilgrims going to
the Haj. Since many people are arriving from countries where many diseases
have been eliminated, or are uncommon in Canada, travelers should be aware
of these. We have listed several of the most common problems affecting travelers.
Also listed are interventions, vaccines, or drugs, that are used in the prevention
and treatment of common problems affecting travelers.
Travelers' diarrhea is
caused by e.coli and other bacteria. Drinking water is safe in Saudi Arabian
cities, although, in rural areas, travelers must be careful. Pilgrims may
also acquire travelers' diarrhea passing through countries on the way to the
Haj. WE recommend bringing the prescription drug Cipro to treat travelers'
diarrhea. Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that is found in infected food
or water. We recommend vaccination. One dose of Hepatitis A vaccine is good
for twelve months, and a second booster will increase this to ten years. A
similar virus, Hepatitis E, may also infect water and give similar sickness.
Since there is no vaccine yet for Hepatitis E, we recommend that travelers
be cautious, even if vaccinated.
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus, that is acquired
from bodily fluids. Short term visitors whom will have no bodily fluid exposure,
do not need hepatitis B. We recommend Hepatitis B for travelers staying longer
than three months. HIV is very low in Saudi Arabia. Rabies is very rare and
is usually contracted from dogs or feces in rural areas. We do not recommend
rabies vaccination, but strongly do recommend washing all dog bites with soap
and water, and then seeking medical attention.
Tuberculosis is also present, and travelers should be careful about close
proximity to sick people coughing. In Canada, we do not recommend tuberculosis
vaccination, as it does not work well, but urge people to get checked out
by their doctor upon return, if they suspect that they have had a significant
exposure to a sick person coughing. Typhoid is another disease acquired through
food and water. It is much less common than Hepatitis A, but vaccination may
be considered.
Sandfly fever and leishmaniasis are diseases from sandfly bites. Sandflies
are usually in rural areas. They bite at night. Treated mosquito nets and
good clothes, prevent bites. Schistosmiasis (or Kaluzar) is acquired through
swimming, or contact in fresh water that is infested by snail parasites. Avoid
potential contaminated waters from ponds, lakes, aqueducts or irrigated areas.
Crimean-Congo Hemarrhagic fever is an illness acquired from tick bites or
by handling freshly slaughtered meat. It is rare in travelers.
Help in Saudi Arabia
Hospitals King Faisal Specialist (Riyadi)
Aramco Hospital (Dhahram)
Canadian Embassy
Riyadh Canadian Embassy Diplomatic Quarter
P.O. Box 94321
Riyadh 11693
Phone 966 (1) 488-2288 Fax 966 (1) 488-1997
Jeddah Consulate in Canada
Madina Rd Ali Reza Tower 11th floor
Jeddah Saudi Arabia
P.O. Box 9484 Jeddah 21413, 5A
Phone 966 (2) 653-0597 or 653-0434 Fax 966 (2) 653-0538
Call our Canadian Consulate office from Saudi Arabia toll free: 1-800-814-0139
Country Travel Reports
www.voyage.gc.ca This website gives
reports on safety condition of all countries
Canadian Customs and Revenue www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca
Passport Office www.ppt.gc.ca
Health Canada www.travelhealth.gc.ca
