World Scout Jamboree July 2019

The 24th World Scouting Jamboree takes place from 22 July to 2 August 2019 in the Summit Bechel Reserve in West Virginia USA.
As many as 50,000 Scouts, between the ages of 14 and 17 years and their leaders, from more than 200 countries and territories will take part in this event.

Mass gatherings such as this event can lead to outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Health professionals are advised to ensure that participants UK national schedule vaccines are up to date and in particular that they have had two doses of measles containing vaccine (MMR).

There have been recent reports of measles outbreaks in a number of USA states and where there is no evidence of immunity either due to prior disease or vaccination the disease risk should be discussed and MMR vaccination advised.

Following the 2015 jamboree in Japan, five scouts and one parent developed meningococcal infection serogroup W.
Meningococcal ACWY vaccination is part of the UK childhood schedule, but if there is no evidence of vaccination, the disease transmission and vaccination should be discussed.

USA is considered to be low risk for rabies, however wild animals such as foxes, skunks and racoons are high risk.
Participants should be advised to avoid contact with wild animals including bats. A bite, lick or scratch from an animal whilst in the US should be reported and medical assessment sought immediately.
CDC provides information on rabies risk areas in the USA

The organisers of the jamboree have issued advice on recommended vaccinations
However it should be noted that the vaccines recommended would not normally be advised for most travellers to the USA.

A thorough risk assessment should be completed before advising on vaccinations and health risks.

Advice on the following should be included in the travel consultation:
Accident Prevention
Animal Bites
Food and water safety
Insect Bite avoidance
Sun safety
Travellers diarrhoea
Travel Insurance

Further information can be found on the World Scout jamboree website