A Nov 4 ECHO Daily Flash post reported that the government has Cabinet approval ‘for all primary schools to be closed from 15 November and all high schools as of 29 November’ as one of the measures needed to stem the measles outbreak which has so far led to more than 300 suspected infections and three resulting deaths. Restrictions have also been imposed on visits to hospitals and clinics. And in Tonga, the Ministry of Health update of Oct 29 announced that suspected and confirmed cases had climbed to 107. Global measles news: the PAHO update for the Americas revealed that Brazil has reported most of the recent cases and is leading the tally of regional countries this year with more than 9,300 cases to Oct 31. The state of São Paulo, which has 2-dose measles vaccine coverage of under 77 percent, has had the highest infection count by far to date (and 13 of the 14 measles-related deaths this year). In the African region: this year Ethiopia has recorded more than 8,500 suspected measles cases and 57 deaths from Oromio, Afar, Amhara and Somali regions. While in Lesotho, a measles outbreak has been declared in the district of Qacha’s Nek, adjacent to the South African border in the country’s SE. The WHO African region weekly bulletin commented that Lesotho reports high vaccination coverage overall, however rates are sub-optimal in some ‘hard to reach areas’ such as Qacha’s Nek (65% coverage for the first vaccine dose only).
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.