Measles elimination was declared in 2017 in the UK but a Public Health England blog dated Aug 19 explains how considerations such as increased numbers of infections and the detection of the B3 Dublin measles strain ‘for more than 12 months across 2017 and 2018’ has resulted in it losing that status. Of concern for the agency has been the importation of measles infections from regions reporting outbreaks, as well as a lower-than-required vaccine coverage for the second MMR vaccine (87.4 percent). The WHO has released provisional data based on monthly reports for the year to August noting that major outbreaks continue in Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Philippines, South Sudan, Sudan and Thailand. Together with news that the first half of this year saw more measles reported than in any year since 2006, the agency announced that in July this year, ‘86% [of] children have received the first dose of measles vaccine and 69% the second. This means that around 20 million children in 2018 received no measles vaccine through their routine vaccination programmes. Furthermore, 23 countries have yet to introduce the second measles vaccine dose into their national schedule’. Other measles news this week from Malta and Brazil.
Advice for travellers
Measles occurs in developing and developed countries and unvaccinated travellers are at particular risk, both in transit and during their stay. In general the infection is relatively benign, but complications 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.