Health Advice for Morocco

Morocco has a relatively primitive health service and a few nasty endemic diseases, which means it is important that people planning a holiday in Morocco make appropriate health arrangements before embarking on the trip.

Vaccinations and Preventative Measures

UK visitors to Morocco are not required by law to have any vaccinations, however vaccination against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid are all strongly advised. Vaccinations can be arranged either by a general practitioner or a specialist travel clinic. Be warned that hepatitis B vaccination may require a series of injections over a number of weeks, with each injection followed at an interval by a blood test, to check whether the recipient has sero-converted. Hepatitis B vaccine is administered by needle into the gluteus maximus (buttock) and the process can seem rather terrifying, but the single course of vaccination will provide cover for life. Those travelling to the southern and Saharan regions of Morocco are advised to consider taking anti-malarial tablets, as there is a risk of exposure to the disease in parts of the region. Morocco, along with most African nations, has the problem of AIDS and holiday visitors for whom this may be an issue are strongly advised to use a prophylactic to reduce the risk of infection.

Holiday Health Insurance

Morocco's hospitals and public health services are somewhat rudimentary and, although the standards of care provided by staff are acceptable, many hospitals are dirty, somewhat shabby and lacking in essential medical equipment and drugs. Holidaymakers who have an accident or fall ill while in Morocco are well advised to insist on being taken to a private clinic for treatment. Private clinics are cleaner and better equipped than public hospitals and provide access to a range of well-qualified medical specialists. However, treatment in a private clinic in Morocco is expensive and visitors should ensure that they have adequate health cover on their travel insurance both to pay for private care in Morocco and, if necessary, an air ambulance to cover transport back to the UK in the event of a serious accident or illness.

Moroccan Food and Drink

For many people travelling abroad, the change of diet alone is sufficient to cause mild stomach upsets or diarrhoea. However, it is advisable to be careful about what you eat and drink to ensure that you do not develop more serious intestinal problems. Although tap water in most Moroccan cities is drinkable, many people find that its highly chlorinated state makes it unpalatable. It is safest to stick to drinking mineral water, ensuring always at the bottle is opened in front of you and that the seal on the cap is unbroken prior to opening. Avoid ice in drinks and also fruit juices, which may have been diluted with contaminated water. Similarly, one should be careful about eating fruit, salads and raw vegetables, any of which may be the cause of a severe intestinal illness. If you develop severe diarrhoea which does not respond to the usual medications available from a pharmacist, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Animals and Insects

Rabies is a problem in Morocco and is found particularly among stray animals that roam the streets of many of Morocco's cities. If you are bitten by a stray dog, it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention. The needle with which rabies antiserum is administered is several degrees more terrifying than the hepatitis B vaccination, but untreated rabies is a fatal disease. Other delights in Morocco include snakes, scorpions and spiders and it is important that any bites or stings from such creatures are treated promptly so as to remove as much as possible of the toxins from the body.