Health advisory for UEFA Cup

The Hague’s Public Health Department (GGD) is running a public awareness campaign to warn visitors to this summer's UEFA Cup of possible health risks in Poland and Ukraine.

During the month of June many buses, cars and airplanes full of football fans will be traveling to the UEFA European Football Championship 2012 being played in Ukraine and Poland. In these countries there is a higher incidence of measles, rabies and jaundice. Hygienic practices are also different from what we are used to in the Netherlands. 

Health risks

Travellers to Ukraine have a greater chance of contracting diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis (DTP) and Hepatitis A. At present there is also a measles outbreak in Ukraine, in the west of the country near the border with Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. You can download a pamphlet from the World Health Organization.

GGD Den Haag

The GGD Den Haag is recommending that all visitors to the UEFA Cup get themselves vaccinated against Hepatitis A (contagious jaundice) and DTP. Dutch nationals born before 1975 were not vaccinated against measles during childhood. They are also advised to get vaccinated against measles (MMR: measles, mumps and rubella). Ideally you should get these vaccinations 4 to 6 weeks before departure but last-minute immunisation can still have an effect. 

To make an appointment at the GGD Den Haag, call tel. (070) 353 72 40. You can read more here about The Hague's Public Health Department.