Health experts issue measles warning for Euro 2008
Football fans are being warned about measles outbreaks in Europe
Friday, 18, Apr 2008 10:01
Football fans travelling to Switzerland and Austria this summer for Euro 2008 could be at risk of measles, health experts have warned.
Officials from the vaccine surveillance network Euvac.net say there have been significant outbreaks of the viral illness in the two countries.
Last year week the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said there has been an upsurge in measles cases across Europe.
More than 1,300 cases were reported in Europe in January to March this year, compared to less than 800 in the same period last year.
A risk assessment of the situation in Austria in light of the upcoming football tournament is now being carried out by experts from ECDC and Euvac.net.
They say the importance of being vaccinated against measles must be conveyed to all people.
"Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in existence, causing serious illness and even death," said ECDC director Zsuzsanna Jakab.
"If unvaccinated people are exposed to it they have a high chance of being infected. Significant outbreaks have occurred recently in several European countries, so the risk to the millions of unvaccinated Europeans is real.
"The public health community needs to speak out about the benefits of vaccination – and the dangers of being unvaccinated."