Rugby fans travelling to the World Cup in Japan have been warned about a potentially deadly brain infection spread by mosquitos.
Ireland play Scotland in Yokohama in a month’s time and travelling fans have been told to get vaccinated - especially if they plan a long stay or will visit rural, rice growing areas.
The threat of the mosquito-borne virus is small, says the Tropical Medical Bureau, but fans should consult their GPs before they travel.
The bureau said: “Japanese encephalitis is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.
“Most people will have a mild illness with few or no symptoms but for those with severe disease around 30% can develop permanent neurological problem and around 30% will die from the disease.”
The mosquito favours swampy regions and rice paddies and are most active at dusk.
Insect repellents and mosquito nets are recommended in swampy areas. A far greater health risk to fans is rubella and other respiratory diseases.
The bureau “highly recommends” fans heading East get the MMR jab.
Rubella can cause miscarriage or birth defects in a developing baby if a woman is infected while pregnant.
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
Mumps is highly contagious and among men, 40% of cases can cause swollen testicles.
In rare cases mumps can cause infertility and deafness.
The number of people getting the MMR jab in Ireland dropped in the late 1990s and early 2000s after now discredited research linked the jab to autism.
The numbers getting the vaccine have since recovered but a large number of people in their late teens and early 20s have never been inoculated.
A mumps outbreak affected schools and colleges in Dublin and Louth earlier this year.
The World Cup opens on September 20 when the hosts take on Russia.
Ireland’s opener against Scotland, also in Pool A, is followed by Japan in Shizoka on September 28.
Joe Schmidt’s men take on Russia in Kobe City on October 3 before a final Pool A clash on October 12 against Samoa in Fukouka.
The final is on November 2.
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