A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required
from travellers coming within 6 days from infected areas.
B
Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera
vaccination certificate is not a circumstance of entry to the Syrian
Arab Republic. Up to date advice should be sought before deciding
whether precautions should include vaccination, as medical judgment
is divided over its effectiveness.
C
Vaccination against typhoid is recommended.
D
Malaria
risk, entirely in the benign vivax form, exists along the northern
border, especially in the north east of Syria, from May through
October.
Health care
Health insurance is advised. There is no mutual
health agreement with the United Kingdom. There are about 200 hospitals
and 16,000 doctors, basic medical facilities exist in major cities
but there are few outside them. Medical care is supplied free of
charge to those who cannot afford to pay.
Food and Drink
Mains water is generally chlorinated and relatively
safe. Bottled water is available and is advised for the 1st few
weeks of the stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns
is likely to be contaminated and sterilisation is considered vital.
Milk is unpasteurised and must be boiled.
Powdered or tinned milk is available and is recommended, but make
sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Only eat well cooked
fish and meat, preferably served hot. Vegetables
should be cooked and fruit should be peeled.
Other
risks
Hepatitis A is common and
Hepatitis B is widespread. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis)
is also present. Please avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water,
swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe.
Visceral leishmaniasis occurs in the north west
of Syria.
Rabies is also present, therefore
those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered.
If you are bitten, please seek medical advice without delay.
