Rugby World Cup 2019: Japan
03 Sep 2019
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.
During the World Cup many stadia and surrounding areas are likely to be crowded, this increases the risk of both respiratory and gastrointestinal illness.
Large gatherings, including sporting events have been responsible for the transmission of infectious diseases such as measles.
Measles is easily transmitted by airborne droplets among large numbers of individuals in close contact, outbreaks continue to be reported throughout the world, including Japan. In the absence of a history of prior measles infection two doses of a measles containing vaccine is advised. See the measles page for further information on measles risk and vaccination advice.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)is transmitted through sexual contact, infected blood and blood products and contaminated needles and medical instruments. If you are extending your stay beyond the world cup and travelling to more remote/rural areas for more adventurous pursuits vaccination should be considered.
See Japan country page for all relevant disease risks and vaccination advice.
Further information can be found on the following pages: