Global Measles Activity

Released: August 5, 2009

• Travel Health Notice
• About Measles
• Where is Measles a concern?
• Recommendations for Travellers
• Don't Forget...
• Other Related Information

Travel Health Notice

Measles outbreaks occur around the world.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) reminds travellers that the best way to avoid getting measles is to get vaccinated.

Measles remains common in many African and Asian countries. In 2009, outbreaks have also been recorded in European and other industrialized countries including: Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

About Measles

Measles is a highly contagious virus. It is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths in children worldwide.

Symptoms

• Take about 10 to 12 days to appear.
• Usually include high fever and conjunctivitis (pink eye), followed by rash.
• Sometimes include Koplik’s spots (white spots inside the mouth) at onset of illness, cough and runny nose.
• The most serious complications are severe diarrhea, ear infections, pneumonia, croup, blindness, and encephalitis (swelling of the brain), which may lead to death.

Transmission

• Measles is spread by airborne droplets (sneezing or coughing). You can catch measles by coming into contact with secretions from the nose or throat of a person who is infected.
• Infected individuals are generally contagious four days before and four days after a rash first appear.
• Measles virus can remain live and contagious for up to two hours on surfaces and in the air.

Where is Measles a concern?

Measles occurs worldwide but is rare in countries of the Americas. It is a common disease in many developing countries (parts of Africa, eastern Mediterranean and Asia) and some countries in Eastern and Western Europe, and Asia.

In 2009, outbreaks have been recorded in European and other industrialized countries including: Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Burkina Faso (Africa) reported its worst measles outbreak in 10 years with over 51,000 measles cases and over 300 deaths.

Recommendations for Travellers

1. Get vaccinated
   
   Canadians are reminded to keep all vaccinations up-to-date.  See provincial/territorial immunization schedules for further information.
   
   

   If you are travelling to an area where measles occurs and you were born in or after 1970, or were born outside of Canada and were not adequately vaccinated, you may be at risk of infection.

1. Travelling with Infants and Children:
   • Two doses of measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine are recommended for children.
     • (1) The first dose should be given on or after the first birthday and the second dose should be given after 15 months of age.
     • (2) During outbreaks or for travel to regions where measles occurs, the vaccine may be given as early as six months of age. Under these circumstances, the routine two dose series must be then restarted on or after the first birthday, for a total of three doses.
2. Adults:
   • Adults born in or after 1970 should ensure that they have received two doses of the vaccine.

You may be protected against measles if:

• You were born before 1970; or
• You have proof of immunity (e.g. through blood testing).
2. Monitor your health
   • If you develop symptoms similar to measles when you return to Canada, you should see a health care provider.
   • Describe your symptoms to your health care provider before your appointment. That way he/she can arrange to see you without exposing others to measles.

Don't Forget...

1. Consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before you travel.

2. What to do if you get sick when you are travelling.

3. What to do if you get sick after you return to Canada.

4. Know what vaccines you need and when to get them.

Other Related Information

• Public Health Agency of Canada – Fact Sheet on Measles

• Public Health Agency of Canada - Vaccine-Preventable Diseases - Measles

• Public Health Agency of Canada – Canadian Immunization Guide: Measles Vaccine

• World Health Organization – Fact sheet on Measles