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Health Advice for Travellers
Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine

 

Health Advice for Travellers
Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine

 

Health Advice for Travellers
Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine

France

Latest news

General Information

  • Avoid all non-essential travel
  • If travel is unavoidable: get full COVID-19 vaccination protection before travel and adhere strictly to the recommendations and regulations of your host country
  • Check entry requirements of destination country: see regulary updated COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map of IATA (LINK) or list of HUG (LINK)
  • Check the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) requirements for return to Switzerland from your travel destination (see LINK)

Vaccinations for all travellers

 
Risk Area
Factsheet
Flyer
SOP
MAP
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Worldwide
 
 
 
 

 
Recommendation

Vaccination recommended, see Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), LINK.

Entry requirement per country, see IATA LINK and HUG LINK

 

  • 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.
For information, see LINK of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)
 
 
 
 
 

 
Recommendation
All travellers should have completed a basic immunisation to the Swiss vaccination schedule, LINK.
 

Worldwide
 
 
 
 
 

 
Recommendation

All travellers should have completed a basic immunisation and boosters according to the Swiss vaccination schedule, LINK.

 

Worldwide
 
 
 
 
 

 
Recommendation

All travellers should have completed a basic immunisation and boosters according to the Swiss vaccination schedule, LINK.

 

Worldwide
 
 
 
 
 

 
Recommendation

Travellers should be immune to chickenpox. Persons between 11 and 40 years of age who have not had chickenpox should be vaccinated (2 doses with minimum interval of 4-6 weeks).

 

Vaccinations for some travellers

 
Risk Area
Factsheet
Flyer
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Worldwide
 
 
 
 
  • 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).
Under construction
Countrywide
 
 
Map
HealthyTravel_Map_TBE_Europe.JPG
  • Tick-borne encephalitis is a viral infection that is transmitted by ticks. It is often referred to by the German name and abbreviation ’Frühsommer meningoenzephalitis’ (FSME).
  • Tick-borne encephalitis occurs in certain forested areas in Europe through to the Far East.
  • A safe and effective vaccine is available that is recommended for all stays in endemic areas.

EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_DE_TBE.pdf

EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Mosquito-and-tick-bite-protection.pdf

HealthyTravel_Map_TBE_Europe.JPG

Under construction
Countrywide
 
 
 
 
  • 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.
Under construction

Important health risks

 
Risk Area
Factsheet
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Corsica Island
 
 
  • Schistosomes are parasitic worms that infect humans while bathing or walking in fresh water ponds, lakes, or slow-flowing rivers.
  • Avoid bathing, washing, or walking in fresh water in areas endemic for schistosomiasis, also called bilharzia.
  • Consult a general practitioner or a specialist in travel and tropical medicine after suspected skin contact with fresh water during a trip.
  • Specific diagnostic tests and an effective treatment are available, which can prevent long-term complications.

EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Schistosomiasis.pdf

CDC Map: Distribution of schistosomiasis
  • Schistosomes are parasitic worms that infect humans while bathing or walking in fresh water ponds, lakes, or slow-flowing rivers.
  • Avoid bathing, washing, or walking in fresh water in areas endemic for schistosomiasis, also called bilharzia.
  • Consult a general practitioner or a specialist in travel and tropical medicine after suspected skin contact with fresh water during a trip.
  • Specific diagnostic tests and an effective treatment are available, which can prevent long-term complications.
Schistosomes are parasitic worms that infect humans while bathing or walking in fresh water ponds, lakes, or slow-flowing rivers. The larvae of the worm penetrate the skin and migrate in the body until they settle as adults in the veins surrounding the intestines or the genital and urinary tracts, depending on the parasite type. Chronic complications are due to the worms’ eggs, which trigger inflammation and fibrosis (scar tissue) in affected organs.
Schistosomiasis occurs in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, Asia (China, the Philippines, South-East Asia), north-eastern South America, and some Caribbean islands.
The larvae of schistosomes are shed by fresh water snails and penetrate the skin of humans when they bath or swim in the water. The worms develop in various organs of the human body, producing eggs that later migrate through the walls of the intestines and the urinary bladder where they trigger an inflammation and can impair the function of the respective organ systems over the course of months or years. The eggs are deposited in fresh water bodies when humans defecate or urinate into them. Larvae hatch from these eggs and infect water snails, thus completing the parasitic cycle.
Many infections do not cause any signs or symptoms. These depend on the stage of infection: soon after the larvae penetrate the human skin in fresh water, an itching rash may appear (‘swimmer’s itch’). An immunological reaction after 4-8 weeks sometimes occurs with fever and feeling sick, the so-called ‘Katayama fever’. Chronic symptoms such as bloody urine, pain in passing urine, (bloody) diarrhea, and abdominal pain eventually occur after months or years. If those symptoms occur and treatment is not given, damage to the urinary and gastrointestinal tract can lead to dysfunction of the organs.
Consult a tropical disease specialist for diagnosis and management. Specific drugs are effective and prescribed when eggs are detected in the urine or stool, or when the blood test shows antibodies against the worms (see below).
Avoid bathing, washing, or walking in fresh water ponds or slow-flowing rivers in endemic areas. Correctly treated swimming pools and sea water are safe! There is not enough evidence for post-exposure treatment.
If any suspicious fresh water contacts occurs during a trip, a tropical medicine specialist or general practitioner should be consulted for a blood test, approximately 2 months after exposure.
 
 
 

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]

EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Mosquito-and-tick-bite-protection.pdf

Sporadic cases
 
 
  • Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes that bite during daytime.
  • As a prevention measure, great attention should be given to protection from mosquito bites.
  • There is neither a vaccination nor a specific medication against dengue for travellers.
  • In case of fever: do not use acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. Aspirin®, Alcacyl®, Aspégic®) as this can worsen bleeding in case of dengue infection.
  • Read the following information for optimal travel preparation.

EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Dengue.pdf

EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Mosquito-and-tick-bite-protection.pdf

CDC Map: Distribution of dengue

  • Dengue fever is the world's most common insect-borne infectious disease.
  • Great attention should be paid to mosquito protection during the day!
  • The disease can cause high fever, muscle and joint pain, and skin rashes. In rare cases, bleeding may occur. There is no specific treatment.
  • For personal safety, we strongly recommend that you inform yourself in detail about dengue.

Dengue fever is the most common insect-borne infectious disease worldwide. There are 4 known serotypes of dengue virus, so it is possible to be infected with dengue more than once. Approximately 1 in 4 infected individuals develop symptoms of dengue, resulting in high fever, muscle and joint pain, and skin rash. In rare cases, most often after a second infection, life-threatening bleeding and shock (severe drop of blood pressure) may occur.

Dengue fever occurs in all tropical and subtropical regions between latitudes 35°N and 35°S (see also CDC map: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/areaswithrisk/around-the-world.html).
Dengue virus is transmitted mainly by day- and dusk-active mosquitoes, namely Stegomyia (Aedes) aegypti and Stegomyia (Aedes) albopictus. These mosquitoes breed in small water puddles, as they are often found around residential buildings or at industrial zones / waste dumps of human settlements. The main transmission season is the rainy season.

In 3 out of 4 cases, an infection with the virus remains asymptomatic. After a short incubation period (5-8 days), 1 out of 4 infected people present an abrupt onset of fever, headache, joint, limb and muscle pain, as well as nausea and vomiting. Eye movement pain is also typical. A rash usually appears on the 3rd or 4th day of illness. After 4 to 7 days, the fever finally subsides but fatigue may persist for several days or weeks.

In rare cases, severe dengue can occur. Particularly susceptible are local children and seniors as well as people who have experienced a prior dengue infection. Tourists extremely rarely present with severe dengue. In the first days, the disease resembles the course of classic dengue fever, but on the 4th/5th day, and usually after the fever has subsided, the condition worsens. Blood pressure drops, and patients complain of shortness of breath, abdominal discomfort, nosebleeds, and mild skin or mucosal hemorrhages. In the most severe cases, life-threatening shock may occur.

There is no specific treatment for dengue virus infection. Treatment is limited to mitigation and monitoring of symptoms: fever reduction, relief of eye, back, muscle and joint pain, and monitoring of blood clotting and blood volume. Patients with severe symptoms must be hospitalised.

For treatment of fever or pain, paracetamol or acetaminophen are recommended (e.g. Acetalgin® Dafalgan®). Drugs containing the active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. Aspirin®, Alcacyl®, Aspégic®) must be avoided.

Effective mosquito protection during the day and especially during twilight hours (i.e. sunset) is the best preventive measure:

  1. Clothing: Wear well-covering, long-sleeved clothing and long pants and spray clothing with insecticide beforehand (see factsheet “prevention of arthropod bites”)
  2. Mosquito repellent: Apply a mosquito repellent to uncovered skin several times a day (see factsheet “prevention of arthropod bites”)
  3. Environmental hygiene: Do not leave containers with standing water (coasters for flower pots, etc.) in your environment to avoid mosquito breeding sites.

No vaccination against dengue virus is currently available for travellers.

Do not take any products containing the active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. Aspirin®, Alcacyl®, Aspégic®) if you have symptoms, as they may increase the risk of bleeding in the event of a severe dengue infection!
Dengue Map (Center for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/areaswithrisk/around-the-world.html 
Sporadic cases
 
 
  • Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes that bite during daytime.
  • As a prevention measure, great attention should be given to protection from mosquito bites.
  • There is neither a vaccination nor a specific medication against chikungunya for travellers.
  • In case of fever: do not use acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. Aspirin®, Alcacyl®, Aspégic®) as this can worsen bleeding in case of dengue infection.
  • Read the following information for optimal travel preparation.

EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Chikungunya.pdf

EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Mosquito-and-tick-bite-protection.pdf

CDC Map: Distribution of Chikungunya

  • Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
  • Chikungunya can be prevented by protection against mosquito bites.
  • It typically presents with severe joint pain of the hands and feet. In a few patients, these may persist for weeks or months.
Chikungunya is caused by the chikungunya virus, which was first described in 1952 in Tanzania. The name is believed to come from a local African language, meaning ‘to become bent over’, and refers to the posture of affected persons who lean on walking sticks due to severe joint pain.
Indian subcontinent, South-East Asia and Pacific islands, Central and South America, Caribbean islands, Sub-Sahara Africa, Arabian peninsula. In Europe, cases are mainly imported from endemic countries. However, local transmission has occurred in 2007, in 2014, and in 2017 (Italy and France).
The chikungunya virus is transmitted through the bite of Aedes mosquitoes, which predominantly bite humans during daytime.

The infection may present with some or all of the following symptoms: sudden onset of high-grade fever, chills, headache, redness of eyes, muscle and joint pain, and rash. The rash usually occurs after the onset of fever and typically involves the trunk and extremities, but can also include the palms, soles of the feet, and the face.

Often fever occurs in two phases of up to one week duration, with an interval of one to two fever-free days in between. The second phase may present with much more intense muscle and joint pain, which can be severe and debilitating. These symptoms are typically bilateral and symmetric and mainly involve hands and feet, but may also involve the larger joints, such as the knees or shoulders.

About 5-10% of infected people continue to experience severe joint pain even after the fever has subsided, in some cases lasting up to several months or, albeit rare, even years.

Diagnosis can be confirmed by blood tests: PCR in the first week of symptoms or serology (antibody measurement) from the second week of illness.
There is no treatment against the virus itself, only symptomatic treatment for the joint pains (anti-inflammatory drugs).
Mosquito bite prevention during the daytime (when Aedes mosquitoes are active): repellants on uncovered skin, wearing long clothes, treating clothes with insecticide. A further very important protective factor is ‘environmental hygiene’, meaning preventing the occurrence of breeding sites for mosquitoes within close proximity of human housing by eliminating all forms of recipients containing water.
  • FOPH Switzerland: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/home/krankheiten/krankheiten-im-ueberblick/chikungunya.html
  • WHO - Chikungunya fact sheet: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chikungunya
  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/index.html
Worldwide
 
 
 
  • 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.

EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_STI.pdf

EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_DE_HIV-AIDS.pdf

Under construction
Areas above 2500 meters
 
 
 
 
  • 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.
  • If you are planning a trip above 2500m, we strongly recommend for your own safety that you read this factsheet and carry it with you on the trip.
 
 
 
 
  • There are other important travel related health risks such as diarrhoea, road traffic accidents, air pollution and more.
  • For more information, see the section "Healthy Travelling".

EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Rabies.pdf

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    Socinstrasse 55, Postfach, 4002 Basel

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