There have been many cases of the H1N1 virus, also known as Swine Flu in Algeria. The Algerian authorities are screening passengers at Algiers International Airport. These measures will be extended to all international airports, ports (both goods and passengers) and land border stations in the near future. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. Anyone suspected of having swine flu will be quarantined and transported to one of the 109 designated hospitals in the country. Once at the hospital, further tests will be carried out, samples will be tested in Algiers, and treatment will be carried out as appropriate. You should seek medical advice before traveling to Algeria and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.
The Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 21,000 adults aged 15 or over in Algeria were living with AIDS/HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population. There has been an increase in deaths from AIDS/HIV since 2008, from 500 deaths per year to 1,000 deaths by mid 2009.
In 2008 there were confirmed reports of an outbreak of Typhoid Fever in the Djelfa region. Travelers should practice strict food and water hygiene.
Poor sanitation and unclean water still cause Tuberculosis, Trachoma, and Venereal Infections. Gastrointestinal complaints, Pneumonia, Diphtheria, Scarlet Fever, and Mumps are relatively common, as are waterborne diseases such as Typhoid Fever, Cholera, Dysentery, and Hepatitis.
Before visiting Algeria, you may need to get the following vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases you might be at risk for are: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, and routine shots such as, Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) vaccine, Diphtheria/Pertussis/Tetanus (DPT) vaccine, Polio Virus vaccine.
Potable water remains a prominent issue, we recommend that you not drink the local water nor have ice in your drinks; buy bottled water and make sure the seal hasn't been broken. Make sure to drink plenty of bottled water in Algeria to avoid dehydration. Carry a small bag of salt, when it is hot and you sweat a lot, drinking plenty of water is not enough.
In many urban areas, and all rural areas, water supplies are not considered potable. Water-borne and food-borne diseases are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. Outside of hotels and resorts, we recommend that you boil, filter or purify all drinking water.
If you have skin that is sensitive to strong sun, bring along sun protection with high SPF. This tends to only be available in beach resorts.
There is still a high threat from terrorism in Algeria. You should exercise extreme caution at all times as terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers such as restaurants, hotels and shopping centers.
If you are traveling to Algeria you should seek the advice of your hosts about appropriate security measures. You should arrange, if possible, to be met on arrival in Algiers and, if traveling alone, should stay at one of the main hotels where proper security precautions are taken.
Since the beginning of 2007 there have been a number of bomb attacks in Algeria. There were two bombs in central Algiers on the morning of 11 December 2007. These occurred near the Supreme Court building in El Biar and at the offices of the UN agencies in Hydra. Over 30 people were killed, and many more injured. The attacks were claimed by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), a name adopted by Algerian terrorist group called the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) in January 2007.
On 19 August 2008 a bomb targeted a police training school in Issers in the wilaya of Boumerdès, resulting in 43 fatalities and 38 people injured.
On 20 August 2008 an attack was carried out in Bouira. Two bombs were detonated. One hit a bus outside a hotel and the other close to the town’s military headquarters. There were 11 fatalities and at least 30 others injured.
On 22 February 2009 an attack occurred in the Jijel Province, killing nine security guards and injuring two others. During February there were a number of incidents in or near Tebessa, 600 km to the East of Algiers, close to the border with Tunisia.
On 2 June 2009, 8 police officers and 2 civilians were killed and 2 others were injured in a terrorist attack against a police convoy carrying exam papers in Touint Tessemat, in the wilaya of Boumerdes.
On 17 June 2009, 19 gendarmes were killed in a terrorist attack against the officers who were guarding a group of Chinese workers on a construction project. The attack occurred in the wilaya of Bordj Bou Arreridj, 148 km East of Algiers.
On 29 July 2009, 14 Algerian soldiers were killed and several others were seriously wounded in an ambush in Damous, in the wilaya of Tipaza. A roadside bomb was detonated and then the soldiers were fired upon. Damous is situated 150 km West of Algiers and 75 km away from the city of Tipaza.
On October 10, 2009, there were 13 killed in the Algerian desert. Ten suspected Islamist were killed in a shootout.
There is a high threat of kidnapping in Algeria and surrounding countries by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Travel in Algeria can be difficult and you should take all necessary steps to protect your safety. You should have confidence in your individual security arrangements and maintain a high level of vigilance. Extreme caution is advised if considering traveling near the borders with Mauritania, Niger and Mali where kidnapping is becoming an increasing threat. The kidnapping of two Austrian tourists in Southern Tunisia in March 2008, two Canadian diplomats in Niger in late 2008 underline the potential risk to travelers in the region.
The Sahara Desert and mountainous regions in the South of Algeria have seen occasional outbreaks of terrorist violence. You should exercise caution when traveling in the area close to the borders with Tunisia and Libya.
Foreign workers and their means of transport have also been targets for attacks. In the last two years there have been at least three roadside bomb attacks on vehicles carrying foreign workers, which have resulted in six deaths and several injuries. For unavoidable travel and regular journeys we recommend changing the timings and routes where possible.
Americans living or traveling in Algeria are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Algiers through the State Department's travel registration website (https://travelregistration.state.gov), and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Algeria.
There are incidents of robbery and thefts of and from motor vehicles. There have been reports of car-jacking and robberies and thefts by criminals posing as police officers outside the main cities. You should avoid areas that you do not know, especially after dark. Do not carry large amounts of money or valuables around with you.
Local laws reflect the fact that Algeria is a Muslim country. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
Homosexuality is illegal in Algeria. Sexual acts between persons of the same sex are punishable by imprisonment. Where one of the participants is a minor, penalties for the other party are increased.
Possession, use and trafficking of controlled drugs are all serious criminal offenses in Algeria. The possession of even a small amount of drugs could result in a prison term.
It is recommended that you obtain a comprehensive travel and medical insurance before traveling.
Traveling abroad can be both exciting and aggravating, but it is important for expatriates to know where to go for quality medical treatment during your journeys. At Globalsurance we are able to offer you a variety of individualized Algeria global health insurance plans to you and your family. In many cases we at Globalsurance will be able to cater to your particular and specific requirements. Algeria global health insurance plans that we offer will give the peace-of-mind you require while overseas. To speak to an advisor about our international health insurance policies that we can offer, or to receive a 
