Tunisia
Health & Safety
| Special precautions | Certification required? | |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | Yes | 1 |
| Cholera | Yes | 2 |
| Typhoid and Polio | 3 | No |
| Malaria | No | No |
| Innoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advise in the case of doubt. | ||
1
A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas.
2
Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Tunisia. However, sporadic cases of cholera do occur in this region and up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix for further information.
3
Vaccination against typhoid is advised.
Food & drink
Mains water is normally chlorinated, and whilst safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated. Milk should be boiled when unpasteurised (ie if not commercially processed and packed). Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. These precautions should include western-style buffets.
Other risks
Dysenteries and diarrhoeal diseases are common in this region. Hepatitis A is present and hepatitis E is endemic in some areas; precautions should be taken. Lassa fever occurs in rural areas. Mediterranean spotted fever has been reported. Tungiasis is present. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, see the Health appendix.
