in southern Morocco), bees and wasps, bedbugs and scabies (both found in cheaper
accommodation).
Symptoms and effects More likely to be an irritant than a health risk. Sandflies have a nasty,
itchy bite, and can carry the rare skin disorder, leishmaniasis. Scorpions have a painful sting
that is rarely life-threatening. Bedbugs lead to very itchy, lumpy bites. Tiny scabies mites live in
the skin, particularly between the fingers, and cause an intensely itchy rash.
Prevention and treatment DEET-based insect repellents. Spraying a mattress with an
appropriate insect killer will do a good job of getting rid of bedbugs. Scabies is easily treated
with lotion available from pharmacies; people you come into contact with also need treatment to
avoid spreading scabies between asymptomatic carriers.
Snake Bites
Causes The chances of seeing a snake in Morocco, let alone being bitten by one, are slim.
Nevertheless, there are a few venomous species, such as the horned viper, found in the
southern desert areas. Snakes like to bask on rocks and sand, retreating during the heat of the
day.
Prevention Do not walk barefoot or stick your hand into holes or cracks.
Treatment If bitten, do not panic. Half of those bitten by venomous snakes are not actually
injected with poison (envenomed). Immobilise the bitten limb with a splint (eg a stick) and apply
a bandage over the site, with firm pressure, similar to applying a bandage over a sprain. Do not
apply a tourniquet, or cut or suck the bite. Get the victim to medical help as soon as possible
so that antivenin can be given if necessary.
Water
Tap water is chlorinated in Morocco’s cities and generally safe to drink – certainly safe to clean
your teeth with. Elsewhere, stick to treated water – filter or purify it.
Bottled water is available everywhere, although there is an environmental cost through the
mountains of discarded (and unrecycled) plastic bottles.
Off the beaten track, water drawn from wells or pumped from boreholes should be safe, but
never drink water from rivers or lakes, as this may contain bacteria or viruses that can cause
diarrhoea or vomiting.
Women’s Health
Condoms, tampons and sanitary towels are widely available in Morocco.
Contraception If using oral contraceptives, remember that some antibiotics, diarrhoea and
vomiting can stop the pill from working, so take condoms just in case. Condoms should be kept
in a cool, dry place or they may crack and perish.
Pregnancy Take written records of the pregnancy and your blood group, which will be helpful if
you need medical attention. Antenatal facilities vary greatly in North Africa, so think carefully
before travelling to out-of-the-way places, bearing in mind the cultural and linguistic difficulties,
not to mention the poor medical standards you could face.