The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Watch - Level 1 Travel alert on th, Practice Usual Precautions warning for Madagascar on the 30th of November, as the countries measles outbreak reaches 3239 cases. This CDC travel alert means visitors to Madagascar should ensure they are vaccinated against measles with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. This measles outbreak started in the capital city, Antananarivo, on October 4, 2018, when 3 measles cases were confirmed at the Pasteur Institute of Madagascar. As of November 18th, a total of 3,239 measles cases have been reported, of which 182 were confirmed immunoglobulin M positive, and 3,057 were epidemiologically linked. 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. Read more
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.