Malaria risk is found in the south western region except high altitude areas of Asir Province and the cities of Mecca, Medina, Jeddah and Taif.
Hajj pilgrims, many travel between Mecca and Medina. The risk of malaria is low in both cities and antimalarial prophylaxis is not advised while in either city. However, the journey between them passes through an area of high risk for malaria. The journey takes 6 hours by road. If it is undertaken during the daytime, in an air conditioned vehicle from which mosquitoes can be excluded, the risk of malaria is very low and it is reasonable to practice bite avoidance only.
Malaria precautions are essential. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.
Atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine is advised throughout the year for those visiting risk areas.
If you have been travelling in a malarious area and develop a fever seek medical attention promptly. Remember malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure. If travelling to high risk malarious areas, remote from medical facilities, carrying emergency malaria standby treatment may be considered.
Precautions: Schistosomiasis - A parasitic infection (also known as bilharzia) that is transmitted to humans through contact with fresh water. The parasite enters humans through the skin and prevention is dependant on avoidance of swimming, bathing or paddling in fresh water lakes and streams.
Recommended Vaccines when travelling to Saudi Arabia:
- Combined Diphtheria, Tetanus and polio Vaccination: To be administered two weeks before travel. Offers upto 10 years protection.
- Hepatitis A (Adult) Vaccination: To be administered two weeks before travel. Protection for 1-3 years after 1st dose - upto 25 years after 2nd dose.
- Meningitis ACWY + Certificate: To be administered 2-3 weeks before travel. Protection for upto 5 years.
Other Vaccines to be considered when travelling to Saudi Arabia:
- Hepatitis B (Adult): To be administered two months before travel. Length of protection unknown.
- Typhoid Vaccination: To be administered two weeks before travel. Protection for upto 3 years.
Meningococcal Vaccination Certificate Requirements:
- Visitors from any country arriving for Hajj pilgrimage and Umrah, or for seasonal work, are required to produce a certificate of vaccination against meningococcal infections ACWY which has been issued not more than 3 years and no less than 10 days prior to arrival in Saudi Arabia. All arrivals from countries within the African Meningitis Belt (Benin; Burkina Faso; Cameroon; Chad; Central African Republic; Cote d'Ivoire; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Gambia; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Mali; Niger; Nigeria; Senegal and Sudan) will also be administered antibiotic treatment at the point of entry as an added precaution.
Influenza vaccination
- The Ministry of Health of Saudia Arabia recommends influenza vaccine before arrival, especially for those at increased risk e.g. the elderly, chronic chest or heart disease.
Poliomyelitis vaccination
- The Ministry of Health of Saudia Arabia has announced that in both groups below, proof of vaccination at least 6 weeks prior to departure is required for entry visa to Saudi Arabia. They will also receive 1 dose of OPV at border points on arrival.
- All travellers arriving from countries that are polio-endemic, have re-established transmission or at high risk of re-importation of polio virus regardless of age and vaccination status, should receive one dose of oral polio vaccine (OPV).
- All visitors under 15 years travelling to Saudi Arabia from countries with imported or circulating vaccine-derived cases of polio in the past 12 months should be vaccinated against polio with either OPV or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).