The WHO regional office announced a decline in new measles infections being reported in an outbreak that erupted in Manicaland Province in late March/early April. The agency’s weekly bulletin said that the first cases were within a Mutasa District community that did not espouse vaccinations. To July 19, the district bordering Mozambique recorded 421 cases and 38 deaths. Interruptions to national routine immunisation campaigns have seen coverage rates for measles vaccinations lag, and now reports are emerging of ‘unusually high numbers of suspected measles cases reported in districts of Hwedza, Makonde, Zvishavane and Centenary’. In related news, the measles outbreak in the province of Kasaï-Oriental in the D R of Congo has claimed 28 lives from approximately 2,800 cases recorded this year. 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. 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.