Egypts capital city Cairo, features the world famous pyramids, sphinx and the Nile river and is host to millions of tourists each year. With year round sun and many all inclusive holiday options Cairo should provide a great balance of ancient history, relaxation and activities. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, with many visitors to Cairo suffering from unacceptable and avoidable holiday illness.
Common illness reported in Cairo include various forms of food poisoning including Salmonella and E. Coli. These illnesses can cause diarrhoea, stomach pains, fever and dehydration. A common cause of contracting these illnesses in a resort as popular and as busy as Cairo is the handling of infected currency. Due to high temperatures and the fact that Egyptian money stays in circulation for a long time, it isn’t unlikely for it to not only carry infection but also have an unpleasant smell.
Undercooked food and poor food hygiene in general has also been reported as the cause of many holiday illnesses in the region and all holidaymakers must be sure to follow these guidelines when travelling in and around Cairo:
- Use only bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth.
- Frequently use an alcohol-based hand gel.
- Avoid Ice as it may have been made from tap water.
- Avoid street food
- Avoid salads and any uncooked fruits and vegetables (these may have been handled unhygienically)
In the event that you do get ill Sickholiday advise that you seek medical attention whilst on holiday as this will greatly increase your chances of making an eligible claim upon your return.
Whilst ill it is important that you drink plenty of bottled water and use rehydration salts when possible. It is advised that you take rehydration salts with you on your trip along with some other essentials such as Cipro (fights bacteria in the body) Imodium (treats the symptoms of Diarrhoea) and a thermometer to measure your temperature.
It is your tour operators’ responsibility to make sure you are provided with a safe, clean and hygienic hotel.
If you have fallen ill whilst on an all-inclusive holiday to Cairo, get in touch with a member of our team on 01625 253 020.
We have over 10 years industry experience and we will be happy to help you through the process of claiming back the cost of your holiday plus any additional compensation you may be owed.
