With many local football fans preparing not just to sit and watch the World Cup live on new big screen TVs but watch it as a spectator at the event itself, the Health Protection Agency is alerting England football fans to the dangers of unprotected sex in South Africa, where 20% of people aged 15 to 49 are HIV positive.
The warning is being issued along with general travel advice for fans who are still preparing to make the trip to watch England or indeed other countries in the final stages of the World Cup competition.
“Following safe sex advice is essential when at home and abroad, but its importance is highlighted when travelling to areas where infection rates are higher than in the UK,” said Dr. Valerie Delpech, head of the HIV section at the HPA. “We know that the group most at risk of infection with HIV in developing countries, including South Africa, are women, who may be involved in the sex industry, forcibly or otherwise.
“Ensuring you always practise safe sex, by using a condom, will significantly reduce the risk of contracting HIV or another sexually transmitted infection while in South Africa.”
The “Safe Sex” message comes as the HPA also warn of other infectious diseases travellers should be aware of, such as a flu-like illness called Rift Valley Fever, which is transmitted by mosquito bites, which has have been reported in South Africa. The risk of travellers catching this infection is low, but measures should still be taken to avoid being bitten.
Malaria is not believed to be a risk to travellers to the host cities, but travellers intending to combine their trip with a safari, or with a visit to malaria-risk regions in South Africa or other African countries, need to take appropriate malaria prevention measures before and during their travel. The advice is, consult your GP before travelling.
Rabies is also a risk so it is a good idea for travellers to avoid contact with animals and to ensure that, if they get bitten, licked or scratched by an animal, they seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
“It’s important for people going to the World Cup to discuss their particular travel requirements with their GP or travel clinic to ensure they are adequately protected,’ urges Dr. Jane Jones, head of the HPA’s travel and migrant health section, “including being up-to-date with routine vaccinations, as well as any additional vaccinations that may be appropriate. It’s also important to take out adequate travel health insurance.”
Dr. Jones added: “The most commonly reported travel associated infection is diarrhoea and travellers to South Africa should therefore be mindful of food hygiene and to ensure that caution is exercised when choosing where and what to eat.
“The easiest way to protect yourself from stomach bugs is to wash your hands before eating and after going to the toilet and to remember the phrase ‘boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it’. Just a little thought and some sensible practices could avoid any unpleasant illnesses that could ruin your World cup experience.”