On a more positive note than most of the measles news we have posted lately, the WHO SE Asian regional office announced that Sri Lanka has interrupted measles transmission ‘at a time when globally measles cases are increasing’ - May 2016 was the last time an indigenous measles case was recorded. Read more. In other news: Chad – nine fewer districts are reporting measles epidemics however in the last week of June there were still 555 suspected cases and four related deaths, taking the YTD total to more than 22,000 and 215 deaths. While Ethiopia’s measles infections are nearing the 7,000-mark with many of those reported from Oromia, Amhara and Solami regions. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has reported on vaccination campaigns underway in response to the Ukraine’s continuing high rates of measles - the YTD total at the end of May reached 52,034 cases. Among the most affected regions there has been marked improvement in Lviv, however high monthly case numbers in Kharkiv and Kyiv are of concern to the agency. According to a 2019 public health report, for the past three years, the uptake of the the first dose of MMR vaccine in Ireland for children at their second birthday has been 92 percent (target 95 percent), with one area south of Dublin recording only 84 percent in 2018. Sixty measles cases have been reported in the republic to June this year. New Zealand’s total of measles cases rose to 280 on July 5, with the highest incidence of infections in the 20 to 29yo age group (71 cases) followed by 10–19yo (54) and under 15 months (51). The Counties Manukau Health Board of southern Auckland has reported most cases this year (76). The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has reported on the vaccination campaigns underway in response to the Ukraine’s continuing high rates of measles - the total at the end of May reached 52,034 cases. Among the most affected regions, there has been marked improvement in Lviv, however high monthly case numbers in Kharkiv and Kyiv are concerning to the agency. According to a 2019 report from Ireland’s Dept of Health, for the past three years the uptake of the first dose of MMR vaccine for children reaching their second birthday has been 92 percent (target of 95 percent), with one area south of Dublin recording only 84 percent in 2018. Sixty measles cases were reported to June this year. In Australia, the health departments in Qld (Brisbane, Gold Coast) and NSW (Sydney) have issued alerts relating to several measles cases reported over the past week.
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.