The Middle East

The health risks on this page pertain to the following countries in the Middle East: Bahrain, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Yemen, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi-Arabia, Syria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

Food and water

The likelihood of running up a food poisoning infection, including hepatitis A, depends to a large extent on the region and the conditions. In many countries there is a serious risk of contracting typhoid fever.

Insect-borne diseases

Malaria is endemic to The Middle East, but on a limited scale and even then only in certain regions. Dengue is a risk in some countries, but usually not on a large scale.

Direct contact

In some countries tuberculosis is relatively commonplace.

Blood and sexual contact

You can catch sexually transmitted diseases here, including hepatitis B and HIV infetions.

Animals

Rabies is endemic to the whole region, in both wild and domesticated animals.

Fresh surface water

There is a local risk of leptospirosis and schistosomiasis in a number of countries.

Prevention

Basis: DTP vaccination, hepatitis A and typhoid fever; if necessary malaria prophylaxis.
Longer stays or specific risks: consider getting vaccinations for hepatitis B and Rabies; tuberculosis prevention. Under certain circumstances some countries make it compulsory to be vaccinated against yellow fever.