Rugby World Cup, Japan 2019: Advice for medical professionals

The 2019 Rugby World Cup is scheduled to take place in Japan from 20 September - 2 November 2019, beginning in Tokyo. Matches will take place in twelve host cities.

The potential health risks will vary between individuals attending the World Cup depending on the amount of time spent in Japan, further travel around the country, onward travel to another destination and leisure pursuits.

Risk factors such as age, pre-existing health conditions and medications, pregnancy etc. should be taken into account during a travel consultation.

During the World Cup, many stadia and surrounding areas are likely to be crowded, which increases the risk of both respiratory and gastrointestinal illness. Food and water precautions and respiratory hygiene should be discussed with all travellers.

The pre-travel consultation provides a good opportunity to check a traveller’s history of National schedule vaccines.

All relevant risks and vaccination advice for health professionals can be viewed on the Japan country page of the TRAVAX website.

Source: TRAVAX, 12 August 2019