The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its travel advisory, adding two countries to its list of travel destinations experiencing outbreaks of measles.
On March 13, the agency issued a Level 1 travel advisory to 46 countries in response to a global outbreak of measles.
While the CDC only added Russia and Malaysia to its list of countries currently facing large measles outbreaks, the agency warns that the threat is not limited to these countries as the number of cases continues to rise globally.
“Measles spreads rapidly and may become a risk to travelers in places not included on the list above,” the CDC advised, recommending that “all travelers are fully vaccinated against measles when traveling to any international destination.”
A Level 1 travel advisory is a recommendation to “Practice Usual Precautions.” Level 2 advises travelers to “Practice Enhanced Precautions.” Level 3 warns travelers to “Reconsider Nonessential Travel,” and Level 4 advises travelers to “Avoid All Travel.”
As explained by the CDC, several international destinations have reported an increase in the number of measles cases. International travelers who have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks before departure or have not had measles in the past are at risk of contracting the disease.
The CDC also notes that “the majority of measles cases imported into the United States occur in unvaccinated US residents who become infected during international travel.”
“All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.”
Travelers who develop “a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes” are advised to seek medical attention as measles is highly contagious. Travelers who suspect that they may have contracted measles are advised to “notify the healthcare facility before visiting so staff can implement precautions to prevent spread within the facility.”
Outbreaks Linked to Travel
Officials have tied the recent outbreaks of measles in the United States to international travelers who were infected abroad, including a case in Philadelphia that has been linked to an unvaccinated infant.
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