Those lucky enough to be travelling to the World Cup in Brazil, which has just got under way, have been warned to take precautions against serious stomach viruses and infections such as malaria.

Visitors from the EU to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will be most at risk of gastrointestinal illness and vector-borne infections, that, is infections that spread from one person or animal to another.

According to the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC), fans should pay attention to standard hygienic measures to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal illness and protect themselves against mosquito and other insect bites, by using insect repellent and/or wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers.

They are also urged to take preventive malaria drugs and be vaccinated against yellow fever if travelling to risk areas.

They should also get fully vaccinated according to their home immunisation schedule and those advised by health authorities in Brazil, in particular against hepatitis A.

EU travellers should are also advised to avoid unprotected sexual contact.

In recent years, Brazil has managed to eliminate many infectious diseases like measles and rubella, which are still
endemic in many other countries and could be imported to Brazil by visitorrs from abroad, the ECDC has warned.

Visitors are therefore advised to ensure that they are vaccinated for all diseases in the immunisation schedule of EU member states, in addition to vaccination against cholera, which is no longer endemic in Brazil.

Visit our Child Vaccination Tracker