The Rise in Travel-associated Measles Infections – GeoSentinel, 2015–2019
What to Know: Measles remains a global threat to human health. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported over 328 000 measles cases in 184 WHO member states, with the European Region reporting the most cases (25.6%). From January to March 2019, reported cases rose 300% in comparison to the same months in 2018. Low vaccination coverage for measles is thought to be the cause for this recent increase. Unvaccinated international travelers who go to measles-affected countries are at risk for infection and may contribute to disease importation. Full article.
How to Counsel Your Patients: Before Travel: Recommend that patients 6 months of age or older traveling internationally receive an MMR dose prior to travel or have presumptive evidence of immunity against measles. This dose does not count as the first dose in the routine childhood vaccination series for infants 6 to 11 months who get vaccinated before travel. A self-report of a vaccination or disease history is not adequate evidence of protection. Vaccinate any traveler who does not have written documentation of vaccination or other presumptive evidence of measles immunity.
After Travel: Consider measles in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with fever and rash, especially those who recently traveled internationally or who have close contacts who recently traveled.
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