Bermudians heading to South Africa for World Cup 2010 are being advised by the Department of Health to get their vaccinations.

Travellers should be appropriately vaccinated against measles and rubella.

Dr Cheryl Peek-Ball, the Senior Medical Officer said recent measles outbreaks have been reported in several South African countries including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.

Since January 2009 South Africa has reported 9,583 confirmed measles cases and the ongoing outbreak has reached all nine provinces.

Dr. Peek-Ball also said travellers who are not fully immunised against measles and rubella are at risk when visiting countries or areas where measles or rubella viruses are circulating.

She emphasised that particular attention should be paid to ensuring the protection of women of childbearing age against rubella to prevent possible infection with rubella virus during pregnancy.

Adults may contact the Travel Health Clinic, located in the Hamilton Health Centre's Child Health area, for travel health advice and to arrange for immunisations. Appointments are necessary for the Travel Health Clinic and should be made by calling the Child Health Clinic of the Department of Health at 278-6460.

The Department of Health notes that April 24th marks the start of Vaccination Week, an opportune time to assure that you and your child are adequately immunised against the many vaccine preventable diseases.