WASHINGTON, DC, USA — The Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) is reminding people who plan to attend the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which starts this week in Brazil, to make sure they are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases, especially measles and rubella.

Intensified international travel and population movement associated with mass events such as the World Cup, it said, increase the risk of imported cases of measles, rubella and other vaccine-preventable diseases. For this reason, PAHO/WHO has urged travellers to ensure they are up to date on their vaccines and, if not, to get vaccinated against measles and rubella, ideally at least two weeks before travelling.

In the Americas, endemic transmission of measles was interrupted in 2002 and transmission of rubella in 2009. However, measles continues to circulate in other parts of the world, and some countries in the Americas have reported imported cases. PAHO/WHO’s recommendation seeks to protect the achievements of the Americas in eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases.

This year’s FIFA World Cup is expected to attract some 600,000 visitors from around the world. Of the 32 countries with teams participating in the games, 19 reported measles cases in 2013.

“These viruses continue to circulate in other regions of the world. The risk of reintroduction of these diseases is especially high during mass-attendance events such as the 2014 World Cup,” said PAHO Director Carissa F Etienne during the recent Vaccination Week in the Americas. “Getting vaccinated against measles and rubella is your best shot to protect yourself, your family and all the people of the Americas.”

PAHO WHO recommended that travellers check to make sure they are up to date on all their vaccines. Anyone over six months old who has not been vaccinated, or who does not remember if they were vaccinated, should get vaccinated against measles and rubella before travelling.

“PAHO and WHO routinely recommend that persons travelling to warmer climates should also use sun screens, insect repellents, and protective clothing to prevent sun damage and vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria,” said Dr Jon Andrus, PAHO’s deputy director.

“We must remember in this day and age, a highly infectious disease like measles that exists anywhere in the world is a disease that exists everywhere,” he noted.

According to PAHO/WHO, during their trip and for two weeks upon their return, travellers should be on the alert for symptoms that include fever, skin rash, cough, joint pain, or swollen glands. Anyone who thinks they might have measles or rubella while in Brazil should remain in their lodgings except to go to the doctor, and should especially avoid travelling or visiting public places. If symptoms appear after their trip, travellers should follow the same advice, seek medical attention and inform their doctor about their travel history.