Algeria
Avoid dental treatment in Algeria. If emergency treatment is necessary only have the minimum and have definitive treatment when you get to your home country
Pharmacies stock a good range of European medication
Blood supplies are considered as safe, collected from volunteer donors and screened to international standards
Hospitals and clinics in Algeria are available, but of doubtful quality. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for services. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provisions for medical evacuation, has proven useful
Recent medical and dental exams should ensure that the traveler is in good health. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary.
Drink only bottled beverages (including water) or beverages made with boiled water. Do not use ice cubes or eat raw seafood, rare meat or dairy products. Eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors.
Swim only in well-maintained, chlorinated pools or ocean water known to be free from pollution; avoid freshwater lakes, streams and rivers. Wear clothing which reduces exposed skin and apply repellents containing DEET to remaining areas. Sleep in well-screened accommodations. Carry anti-diarrheal medication. Reduce problems related to sun exposure by using sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen lotions and lip protection.
AIDS occurs. Blood supply may not be adequately screened and/or single-use, disposable needles and syringes may be unavailable. When possible, travelers should defer medical treatment until reaching a facility where safety can be assured.
Public sanitation is below standard with roaming cats and various vermin in abundance.
Highway fatality rate is higher (per capita) than the entire developed world combined.
Scorpion stings and snake bites are a potential hazard in some areas.
Hepatitis A: Consider active immunization with hepatitis A vaccine or passive immunization with immune globulin (IG) for all susceptible travelers. Especially consider choosing active immunization for persons planning to reside for a long period or for persons who take frequent short-term trips to risk areas. The importance of protection against hepatitis A increases as length of stay increases. It is particularly important for persons who will be living in or visiting rural areas, eating or drinking in settings of poor or uncertain sanitation, or who will have close contact with local persons (especially young children) in settings with poor sanitary conditions.
Hepatitis B: Vaccination is advised for health care workers, persons anticipating direct contact with blood from or sexual contact with inhabitants, and persons planning extended stays of 6 months or greater (especially those who anticipate using local health care facilities, staying in rural areas, or having intimate contact with the local population).
Polio: A one-time booster dose is recommended for travelers who have previously completed a standard course of polio immunization. Refer to CDC guidelines for vaccinating unimmunized or incompletely immunized persons. Pregnancy is a relative contraindication to vaccination; however, if protection is needed, either IPV or OPV may be used, depending on preference and time available.
Rabies: Preexposure vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 30 days who are expected to be at risk to bites from domestic and/or wild animals (particularly dogs), or for persons engaged in high risk activities such as spelunking or animal handling. Need for vaccination is more important if potential exposure is in rural areas and if adequate postexposure care is not readily available.
Typhoid: Vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 3 weeks, adventurous eaters, and those who will venture off the usual tourist routes into small cities, villages and rural areas. Importance of vaccination increases as access to reasonable medical care becomes limited. Contraindications depend on vaccine type.
Note: All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococcal) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.
DISEASE RISK SUMMARY
Insect-borne diseases: these are unlikely to be a major problem for the traveler; however, some do occur.
Dengue fever - occurs
Leishmaniasis - occurs
Malaria - occurs
Relapsing fever - occurs
Sandfly fever - occurs
Tungiasis - prevalent
Typhus - occurs
Food-borne and water-borne diseases: these are endemic, and dysenteries and other diarrheal diseases are common.
Brucellosis - common
Echinococcosis (hydatid disease) - occurs
Giardiasis - common
Helminthic (parasitic worm) infections - common
Hepatitis A - common
Lassa fever - occurs (an appreciable reservoir exists in some rural areas, and people visiting these areas should take particular care to avoid rat-contaminated food or food containers, but the extent of the disease should not be exaggerated)
Schistosomiasis - occurs
Typhoid fever - common
Other hazards:
Diseases such as measles and diphtheria are commonly reported. Polio is still considered a possible risk, although cases have rarely been reported in recent years.
Influenza risk extends from November to April.
Rabies - occurs
Trachoma - occurs
Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas.
Malaria Information
Risk areas: Risk is extremely limited. Two small foci (P. vivax only) exist: Arib (Ain-Defla Dept.) and Ihrir (Illizi Dept.). Fewer than 50 cases occur annually.
Protective measures: CDC recommends only that travelers visiting risk areas undertake personal protective measures against mosquitoes (i.e., use repellents, wear protective clothing, sleep in well screened areas or under netting).
