Four measles infections have now been confirmed – two in Port Moresby and one each in the provinces of New Ireland and Gulf – however no onward spread of the infection has been detected as yet. A Solomon Islands news source last week stated that from Jan 20 travellers from PNG will require proof of measles vaccination when arriving in the Islands – the other countries for which this applies were listed (including Australia) in a Dec 20 post. ReliefWeb has posted a summary of the current situation in the South Pacific with updates for Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Australia, New Zealand and Kiribati, and on Jan 9 the regional WHO office issued an update on the situation and response measures. The public health emergency declared by authorities in American Samoa in November will now continue until Feb 6 – 12 measles cases have been confirmed to date and vaccinations have been extended to include ‘undocumented immigrants’ in the territory. Elsewhere, the ECDC has published a summary of EU and global cases; there have been three confirmed cases in the Maldives and seven more are under investigation; 24 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles and two 2 deaths were reported in the Gaza Strip; the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control updated the 2019 data for Jan-Nov advising there had been almost 59,000 suspected cases in 36 states and the FCT, resulting in 289 deaths; and lastly, measles has killed at least five children in the SW province of Balochistan in Pakistan. Read more
Advice for travellers
Measles occurs in developing and developed countries and unvaccinated travellers are at particular risk, both in transit and during their stay. While generally benign, infection can result in severe illness or death. Travelvax Australia recommends travellers check their immunisation status for measles and other childhood diseases such as diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis) and mumps at least 6 weeks before departure. Read more about measles.
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.