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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

Germany

Latest news

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

ECDC, 14.10.2021

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
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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
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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 (Header Only)
  • 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

RKI: Map of TBE risk areas
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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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".

EKRM_Factsheet_Layperson_EN_Rabies.pdf

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