Brazil-bound soccer fans warned of virus threat

Brazil-bound soccer fans warned of virus threat
By admin


The re-emergence of Yellow Fever in some of Brazil's remoter quarters has spurred Australian medical practitioners to recommend all World Cup travellers vaccinate themselves against the disease.

Yellow Fever can cause jaundice, kidney and liver failure, with one in six cases proving fatal. 

A Yellow Fever awareness campaign is being spearheaded by Brisbane-based medical authority Dr Deborah Mills, in conjunction with the Australian medical football team, the Docceroos.

"Aussies planning to attend mass events like the World Cup will be exposing themselves to a range of health risks which should be discussed with a travel health doctor at least six to eight weeks prior to departure, to ensure sufficient time for any necessary vaccinations," Mills said.

Australia's Docceroos team will contest the 2014 World Medical Football Championship in Brazil, which runs concurrently with the FIFA World Cup.

Docceroos founder Dr Alan Jones is another who is spreading the message for all players and fans to immunise themselves prior to travelling to Brazil.

"For the Docceroos, football provides a welcome relief from seeing up to 30 patients a day and allows us to induldge our frustrated inner sportsman. But taking a risk with Yellow Fever isn't a game so we'll all be vaccinating against the potentially fatal virus," Jones said.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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