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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

Greece

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
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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

 
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  • 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

Malaria

 
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Malaria - Worldmap
2021-09-27_World_Malaria_Map_(c)_EN.jpg
 

 
Minimal risk

Between April and November: No or minimal risk in rural regions with high migrant populations.

  • Regions: Laconia, West Achaea, Missolonghi, Evros and Thessaloniki.

Prevention: Mosquito bite prevention

 

  • Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic infection, which is transmitted by mosquitoes at night.
  • Great care should be given to preventive mosquito protection from dusk to dawn in all malaria risk areas.
  • In high-risk areas, taking regular prophylactic medication is strongly advised.
  • For stays in low risk areas: discuss with a travel health advisor whether carrying stand-by emergency self-treatment against malaria is recommended.
  • If you belong to a special risk group (pregnant women, small children, senior citizens, persons with pre-existing conditions and/or with immune deficiency): seek medical advice before the trip as malaria can quickly become very severe.
  • If you have a fever >37.5°C on measuring under your arm or in your ear (a functioning thermometer is indispensable!) during or after the trip, see a doctor / hospital immediately and have a blood test done for malaria! This applies regardless of whether you used prophylactic medication or not!
  • For personal safety, we strongly recommend getting informed in detail about malaria and reading the following information.

    EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Malaria.pdf

    EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Mosquito-and-tick-bite-protection.pdf

    Between April and November: No or minimal risk in rural regions with high migrant populations.

    • Regions: Laconia, West Achaea, Missolonghi, Evros and Thessaloniki.

    Prevention: Mosquito bite prevention

    2021-09-27_World_Malaria_Map_(c)_EN.jpg

    For personal safety, we strongly recommend getting informed in detail about malaria and taking this factsheet with you on your trip.
    • Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic infection, which is transmitted by mosquitoes at night.
    • Great care should be given to preventive mosquito protection from dusk to dawn in all malaria risk areas.
    • In high-risk areas, the intake of prophylactic medication is strongly advised.
    • For stays in low risk areas: discuss with a travel health advisor whether carrying an emergency self-treatment against malaria is necessary.
    • If you belong to a special risk group (pregnant women, small children, senior citizens, persons with pre-existing conditions and/or with immune deficiency): seek medical advice before the trip as malaria can quickly become very severe.
    • If you have a fever >37.5°C on axillary or tympanic measurement (a functioning thermometer is indispensable!) during or after the trip, see a doctor / hospital immediately and have a blood test done for malaria! This applies regardless of whether you have used prophylactic medication or not!
    Malaria is a life-threatening acute febrile illness caused by parasites called Plasmodia, which are transmitted by mosquitoes at night (between dusk and dawn). Rapid diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent complications and death, and to cure the disease. To prevent malaria, diligent mosquito-bite protection is important, as well as taking additional prophylactic (preventive) medication when staying in high-risk areas. Risk groups such as pregnant women, small children, elderly persons or travellers with complex chronic conditions should seek specialized advice.
    Malaria occurs widely in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia, South and Central America (see also malaria map).
    Plasmodia are transmitted to humans by Anopheles mosquitoes, which only bite between dusk and dawn. They sometimes go unnoticed, because they are small and make almost no noise.
    After visiting a malaria endemic area, the symptoms usually appear seven days to one month after infection, but sometimes after several months or more than a year. Symptoms begin with fever and may appear very similar to flu. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, nausea, and sometimes diarrhea or cough. The diagnosis can only be confirmed with a blood test.

    Fever during or after a stay in a malaria-endemic area is an emergency! Prompt diagnosis and treatment are required as the health of people with malaria can deteriorate very quickly. That means: if you have fever >37.5° (use a thermometer!) you need to test for malaria within a maximum time-frame of 24 hours, regardless of whether or not you have used prophylactic medication (malaria chemoprophylaxis). Try to reach a doctor or hospital where you can reliably receive such a test. If the first test is negative, it should be repeated on the following day if the fever persists.

    Malaria can be treated effectively, but without treatment, this disease can quickly cause complications and become fatal. People who have had malaria in the past are not protected from being infected again.

    Prevention of malaria requires a combination of approaches:

    1. Diligent mosquito-bite protection at dusk and at night until dawn is of key importance. Use it for all regions where malaria is present, including areas where the risk is minimal. Bite protection is also effective against other insect-borne diseases that often occur in the same region. It consists of the following measures:
      • Clothing: Wear long-sleeved clothes and long trousers. For additional protection, impregnate the clothes beforehand with insecticides containing the active ingredient permethrin (e.g. Nobite® Textile).
      • Mosquito repellents: Apply a mosquito repellent to uncovered skin.
      • Sleeping room: Sleep in an air-conditioned room or under an impregnated mosquito net. Cautiously use ‘knockdown’ sprays indoors or burn mosquito coils strictly outside, e.g. under a table in the evening.
      • Chemoprophylaxis: Depending on the region and season, it may be necessary to take a prophylactic medication. This is recommended for all destinations with a high risk of malaria (marked as red on our maps). It needs to be taken with food before, during, and after your stay. Discuss with your travel health advisor to ascertain if you need to take chemoprophylaxis for your trip. The appropriate medication and the right dosage will be prescribed.
    2. Taking standby emergency self-treatment (SBET, drugs used to self-treat malaria) with you is recommended for special risk situations (stay in regions with low malaria risk and if there is no or uncertain medical care available). Following such a course of SBET, please consult a doctor as soon as possible. Talk to your travel health advisor to determine whether carrying SBET is necessary, especially if you plan a trip where reliable medical infrastructure is not assured.
    3. For some risk groups, malaria can quickly develop to a dangerous disease. If you are pregnant, if you are travelling with small children, or if you are a senior citizen and / or if you have other illnesses /pre-existing conditions and / or you are immunocompromised, you should seek advice from a specialist in travel medicine to determine whether chemoprophylaxis is recommended for your trip – even if the area is marked as low risk malaria zone.

    For travellers, there is currently no malaria vaccination available.

    • Take a functioning clinical thermometer with you!
    • Malaria symptoms develop at the earliest 7 days after entering the malaria area. A fever > 37.5° always means suspicion of malaria!
    • In case you have fever during or even months after a stay in a malaria area:
      • Immediately consult a health care facility to rule out malaria through a blood test.
      • This should be done within a maximum of 24 hours and applies regardless of whether you have used prophylactic medication or not!
      • The blood tests should be repeated if the result is negative or doubtful and fever persists or recurs.
    • For persons having visited a malaria area with low risk and for whom SBET was prescribed:
      • If you have fever: immediately try to get tested for malaria.
      • If this is not possible, and fever persists for longer than 24 hours or recurs: start taking the standby emergency-self-treatment as it was prescribed by your travel health advisor.
      • Even if you have started your self-treatment against malaria: seek medical advice as quickly as possible to get the cause of your fever diagnosed.

    Important health risks

     
    Risk Area
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    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

    Under construction
    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".

    Get in touch with us

    • Sekretariat Schweizerische Fachgesellschaft für Tropen- und Reisemedizin,
      Socinstrasse 55, Postfach, 4002 Basel

    • info@healthytravel.ch
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