Irish fans travelling to Poland and Ukraine for Euro 2012 games are being warned of a measles epidemic that is currently sweeping the west of Ukraine, close to the border.
Measles is one of the most infectious viruses for humans. More than 6,000 cases have been reported in Ukraine this year, including 162 over the last 24 hours. The epidemic is expected to accelerate in the run-up to the start of the matches in June, according to the Stockholm-based European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
According to the Ukrainian Minister of Health, 93 sanitary and quarantine stations have been established in collaboration with the corresponding Polish authorities, as well as sharing of information concerning fans commuting between the two countries during the tournament. In addition, teams of epidemiologists will be stationed at the stadium used during the tournament.
