• Covid-19 is a disease that affects the whole body, but mainly shows with respiratory symptoms such as cough and difficulty in breathing. It is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
  
• The infection is mainly spread through respiratory droplets and possibly aerosols when infected persons cough, sneeze, speak or sing without wearing a mask.
  
• The infection can be prevented very effectively by vaccination and an increasing number of vaccines are now approved and available for protection.
  
• Vaccination is recommended according to the Swiss recommendations of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), see LINK.
  
• Furthermore, prevention relies heavily on people wearing face masks, on hand hygiene and on physical distancing (min. 1.5 m) if masks are not worn and people are not vaccinated.

• Hepatitis B is a viral liver infection that is transmitted via contaminated blood or via sexual contact.
• A safe and very effective vaccine is available that affords life-long protection.
• Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all young people and at-risk travellers, especially if:
  • You travel regularly or spend long periods of time abroad.
  • You are at risk of practicing unsafe sex.
  • You might undergo medical or dental treatment abroad, or undertake activities that may put you at risk of acquiring hepatitis B (tattoos, piercing, acupuncture in unsafe conditions).

• Rabies is mainly transmitted by dogs (and bats), but any mammal can be infectious.
• It is invariably fatal at the time when symptoms occur.
• Rabies is best prevented by a pre-travel vaccination and appropriate behavior towards mammals.
• Pre-travel vaccination is also recommended because vaccines and immunoglobulins are often not available in many travel countries. Vaccination before travel is highly recommended in particular for
  • long-term stay in endemic countries,
  • short journeys with high individual risk such as travellers on ‘two wheels’ or treks in remote areas  or travel with toddlers and children up to 8 years,
  • professional work with animals or cave explorers (bats!).
• Attention: a bite or scratch wound as well as contact with mammal saliva is an emergency! Find out about the necessary actions below!

• Influenza is common all over the world including sub-tropical and tropical countries.
• Vaccination offers the best protection. 
• Vaccination against flu is recommended for all travellers who belong to an “at risk” group such as pregnant travellers, travellers with comorbidities, elderly people (>65 years), or who plan a a high-risk trip (e.g. cruise-ship, pilgrimage).
• The influenza vaccine does not offer protection against avian flu.

There is a risk of arthropod-borne diseases other than malaria, dengue, chikungunya or zika in sub-/tropical regions, and some areas of Southern Europe. These include the following diseases [and their vectors]:

• in Europe
  • Borreliosis, FSME (= tick-borne encephalitis), rickettsiosis [ticks]
  • Leishmaniasis [sand flies]
  • West-Nile fever [mosquitoes]
• in Africa
  • Rickettsiosis, in particular African tick bite fever [ticks]
  • Leishmaniasis [sand flies]
  • African trypanosomiasis = sleeping sickness [tsetse flies]
  • West-Nile fever [mosquitoes]
• in Asia 
  • Scrub typhus [mites]
  • Rickettsiosis [fleas or ticks]
  • Leishmaniasis [sand flies]
  • West-Nile fever [mosquitoes]
  • Crimea-Congo-hemorrhagic fever [ticks]
• in North and Latin America  
  • Rickettsioses and in particular Rocky Mountain spotted fever [ticks]
  • Leishmaniasis and Carrion's disease [sand flies]
  • American trypanosomiasis = Chagas disease [triatomine bugs]
  • West Nile fever [mosquitoes]

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a group of viral, bacterial and parasitic infections; while many are treatable, some can lead to complications, serious illness or chronic infection.
• STIs are increasing worldwide.
• Read the following fact sheet for more information.
  

• Altitude sickness may be experienced in areas above 2500 meters.
• People differ in their susceptibility to altitude sickness; this is not related to their physical fitness.
• Young people are generally more susceptible to altitude sickness than older people.
• Severe altitude sickness with fluid accumulation in the brain or lungs can rapidly result in death.
• If you are planning high altitude hiking, we strongly recommend you to consult your doctor for detailed recommendations and instructions.