CDC Issues Measles Travel Alert for England

The Public Health England (PHE) has issued advice for the public to ensure they have had the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine after measles outbreaks have been confirmed in 5 areas of England.

As of December 19, 2017, the PHE has confirmed 34 measles cases in West Yorkshire, 28 in Cheshire and Liverpool, 22 in the West Midlands, 11 in Surrey and 4 confirmed cases in Greater Manchester.

Dr. Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at PHE, said, “The measles outbreaks we are currently seeing in England are linked to ongoing large outbreaks in Europe.”

“People who have recently traveled, or are planning to travel to Romania, Italy, and Germany and have not had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine are particularly at risk.”

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 1 Travel Alert recommending that travelers to England protect themselves by making sure they are vaccinated against measles with the MMR vaccine.

Before departure from the USA, the CDC suggests infants age 6 through 11 months should have 1 dose of MMR vaccine, and adults and children over 1 year of age should have 2 doses of the MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.

Measles is a disease caused by a virus that is spread through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. Measles virus is highly contagious and can remain so for up to 2 hours in the air or on surfaces.

Symptoms of measles are rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Clinicians should keep measles in mind when treating patients with fever and rash, especially if the patient has recently traveled internationally.

Additionally, the CDC recommends travelers are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and a yearly flu shot.

In the USA, a recent study found that adult travelers who presented for pre-travel consultation, 16 percent met the criteria for getting the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination.

But fewer than 50 percent of these travelers were vaccinated.

Since the cost estimates for treating a measles case ranges up to $181,679, getting the MMR vaccination is a less expensive prevention measure.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides the private sector MMR vaccine prices for general information.

Most pediatricians and pharmacies offer the MMR vaccine, and vaccine discounts can be found here.

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects, says the CDC. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the FDA or CDC.