Soccer fans warned of polio and measles risk

Up to 20,000 Irish fans set to travel to Euro 2012 have been warned they risk contracting a list of potentially lethal diseases in the tournament’s host nations unless adequate medical precautions are taken.

In an attempt to bring a dose of reality to the continent-wide football party which kicks off in Poland and Ukraine on Jun 8, the World Health Organization has told supporters from all countries to be on alert for the likes of polio, measles and rubella.

As part of a health pamphlet distributed through sports bodies ahead of Ireland’s first major tournament in a decade and our first Euro championships in 24 years, the WHO has stressed the illnesses are common within the hosts’ borders.