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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

Slovenia

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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Recommendation
  • Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended for people visiting friends and relatives in remote rural areas where hygiene conditions are poor.
 

  • Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus. It is also known as infectious jaundice.
  • The virus is easily transmitted by contaminated food or water but can also be transmitted through sexual contact.
  • A safe and very effective vaccine is available that affords long-lasting protection.
  • Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travelers going to tropical or subtropical countries, and for risk groups.

EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Hepatitis-A.pdf

  • Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus. It is also known as infectious jaundice.
  • The virus is easily transmitted by contaminated food or water but can also be transmitted through sexual contact.
  • A safe and very effective vaccine is available that affords long-lasting protection.
  • Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travelers going to tropical or subtropical countries, and for risk groups.
Hepatitis A is caused by a highly contagious virus that affects the liver. It is also known as infectious jaundice. Hepatitis A is very common in unvaccinated travelers.

Hepatitis A occurs all over the world, but the risk of infection is higher in countries with poor hygiene standards. There is an increased risk in most tropical and subtropical countries, as well as in some countries in Eastern Europe and around the Mediterranean.

In recent years, there have also been increasing cases in North America and Europe, including Switzerland, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). Outbreaks in northern European countries can also occur when unvaccinated children become infected during family visits to tropical and subtropical countries. Upon return, they may transmit the virus within their care facilities.

Transmission occurs mainly through drinking water or food contaminated by faeces. Other transmission routes are close personal contacts, especially sexual contacts (anal-oral sex) or insufficient hand hygiene.
Several weeks after the infection symptoms such as fever, fatigue, nausea, lack of appetite, abdominal discomfort and diarrhea may occur. Within a few days yellow skin and eyes (jaundice) may follow. Most symptoms disappear after a few weeks, but fatigue can often last for months. Young children usually have few or no symptoms, but in older people, the disease can be severe and prolonged.
No specific treatment is available. Recovery from an acute hepatitis A infection can take several weeks or months and requires physical rest and diet.

There is a safe and very effective vaccine that consists of two injections at least 6 months apart. It provides lifelong protection after the second dose. Hepatitis A vaccination can also be given in combination with hepatitis B vaccination (3 doses required).

Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended for all travellers to risk areas, as well as for persons at increased personal risk: persons with chronic liver disease, men who have sex with men, people who use or inject drug, persons with increased occupational contact with persons from high-risk areas or populations, and others.

  • Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). Hepatitis A. https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/krankheiten-im-ueberblick/hepatitis-a.html 
  • Swiss Hepatitis: https://en.hepatitis-schweiz.ch/all-about-hepatitis/hepatitis-a 
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
 
 
 
  • Rabies is a viral infection that is mainly transmitted by dogs (and bats), but any mammal can be infectious. Infection occurs via contact with the saliva of an infected mammal.
  • It is invariably fatal at the time when symptoms occur.
  • The only way to prevent death is pre-travel vaccination or immediate wound cleaning and immunizing after a contact in countries where vaccines and immunoglobulins are often difficult to get.
  • Rabies is best prevented by pre-exposure vaccination. This is highly recommended 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!).

EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Rabies.pdf

This fact sheet contains important information about rabies. For optimal travel preparation, we recommend that you read this information carefully and take the fact sheet on your trip!
  • Rabies is mainly transmitted through the saliva or other body fluids of dogs (and bats), but any mammal can be infectious.
  • Rabies is invariably fatal once symptoms occur.
  • The only way to prevent death is pre-travel vaccination or immediate wound cleaning and immunizing after exposure.
  • In many countries vaccines and immunoglobulins are often unavailable.
  • Rabies is best prevented by pre-exposure vaccination that is highly recommended for
    • long-term stay in endemic countries,
    • short journeys with high individual risk such as travellers on ‘two wheels’ or treks in remote areas, toddlers and children up to 8 years of age,
    • professionals working with animals, or cave explorers (bats!).
Dogs are responsible for more than 95% of human cases. Bats (Latin America), cats, and (rarely) monkeys, predators, and other mammals can transmit rabies. The highest risk areas are Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and some Latin American countries (e.g. Bolivia). Rabies may occur anywhere in the world, except in countries where successful eradication has been achieved.
Bleeding scratch injuries, licks over injured skin, bites by infected animals: when saliva or other body fluids of infected animals enter the human body, the rabies virus multiplies at the site of entry and later spreads to the peripheral nerves and eventually moves to the central nervous system. Once it has reached the brain, the infection is invariably fatal.
When symptoms such as abnormal skin sensation, paralysis, or hydrophobia (fear of water) appear at 2-12 weeks after contact (range: 4 days-4 years!), the point of no return is reached, and the disease is fatal. Therefore, vaccination before exposure and immediate action after contact are crucial.

No reliable treatment of rabies disease exists!

Post-exposure measures:

  • Immediate cleaning of the wound with plenty of water and soap for 10-15 minutes, followed by disinfection (e.g. Betadine, Merfen) and emergency post-exposure vaccination at the nearest health institution within 24 hours.
  • Tetanus booster vaccination is also required.
  • For those having received full pre-exposure rabies vaccination before travel: two additional vaccine shots (any available brand) at an interval of 3 days suffice.
  • If full pre-exposure vaccination has not been given, in addition to vaccination, passive immunization is required with immunoglobulins.
  • It should be noted that immunoglobins (and sometimes vaccines) are often unavailable in low-resource settings, causing stress and uncertainty.

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:

  • long-term stay in endemic countries,
  • short journeys with high individual risk such as travellers on ‘two wheels’ or treks in remote areas, toddlers and children up to 8 years of age,
  • professionals working with animals, or cave explorers (bats!).

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.

  • Obtain information about prevention of rabies in time before travelling.
  • In case of trips planned for longer than a few weeks, schedule a visit at the travel clinic 4 weeks before departure at the latest.
  • After possible exposure (bite, scratch injury) wound treatment and additional vaccinations are necessary even for those with a completed series of basic vaccinations.
  • This information leaflet should be printed and kept handy during the trip!
  • FOPH Switzerland (German): https://www.bag.admin.ch/dam/bag/de/dokumente/mt/infektionskrankheiten/tollwut/bag-bulletin-15-2021-tollwut-prep-und-pep.pdf.download.pdf/210412_BAG_Bulletin_15_2021_Tollwut%20PrEP%20und%20PEP_d.pdf 
  • FOPH Switzerland (French): https://www.bundespublikationen.admin.ch/cshop_mimes_bbl/14/1402EC7524F81EDBA5D6C3EBC18BA9FB.pdf 
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

 
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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

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".

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