Over 120 cases of salmonella have been reported since 2019 in Germany (68 cases), Sweden (37 cases), Norway (5 cases), Denmark (9 cases), and the Netherlands (2 cases). Cases have also been reported in the United States and Canada. The salmonella outbreak is linked to sesame products (tahini and halva) imported from Syria. Fourteen batches have tested positive for one or more of the Salmonella-outbreak strains. Tahini is a paste made from raw sesame seeds. Halva is a confectionery product that contains a high percentage of sesame seeds.
The recurrent occurrence of cases and the repeated discovery of positive samples since 2019 indicate that contaminated sesame-based products have been circulating in the EU market for more than two years.
Consequences for travelers
Considering the limited information on the production and distribution of the sesame products from Syria, there is still a risk of new salmonella infections in the EU/European Economic Area. Caution should be shown when consuming these products (tahini, halva).
References
All travellers should have completed a basic immunisation and boosters according to the Swiss vaccination schedule, LINK.
All travellers should have completed a basic immunisation and boosters according to the Swiss vaccination schedule, LINK.
Travellers should be immune to chickenpox. Persons between 13 months and 39 years of age who have not had chickenpox and who have not received 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine should receive a booster vaccination (2 doses with minimum interval of 4 weeks), see Swiss vaccination schedule, LINK.
EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_DE_TBE.pdf
EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Mosquito-and-tick-bite-protection.pdf
No treatment against rabies disease exists.
Post-exposure measures:
Stroking cute pets is not a good idea; refrain from touching wild or unfamiliar or dead animals.
All travellers to places where rabies may occur and who are likely to take repeated trips to areas where rabies occurs should have a pre-exposure vaccination. In addition, pre-exposure vaccination is highly recommended for travellers at particular risk:
The shortened vaccination schedule can be proposed to most travellers: 2 shots, the first one at one month before departure if possible (minimum: 8 days before departure). A single third rabies booster vaccination is recommended before the next trip, at least after one year.
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]:
EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Mosquito-and-tick-bite-protection.pdf
Wichtig: Eine STI kann auch ohne oder mit nur leichten Symptomen auftreten. Auch wenn Sie sich dessen nicht bewusst sind, können Sie andere anstecken. Deshalb ist es wichtig sich testen zu lassen.
Durch Bakterien oder Parasiten hervorgerufen
Alle diese Krankheiten können geheilt werden. Wichtig ist dabei, frühzeitig zu testen und umgehend zu therapieren, um Komplikationen und v.a. weitere Übertragungen zu vermeiden.
Durch Viren hervorgerufen
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