Travellers are being warned by experts as measles are on the rise this summer. Levels are at a quarter-century high in the United States, according to doctors and medical experts.
As many as 700 people have contracted measles in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as more cases of them come from overseas.
“It is true there are measles outbreaks in this country,” Dr. George Han of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department said. “We are not recommending necessarily that you should get that second shot if you’re going, but it’s a conversation you should have with your doctor if you’re going to other places in the country.”
States like New York have been hit hardest with upwards of 200 cases as it is a popular travel destination, while a cruise ship was recently quarantined in St. Lucia because of a measles outbreak.
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, but outbreaks overseas have brought them to America. New York has been especially hit hard with 200 cases.
The CDC issues these recommendations:
- Infants six to 11 months old should get one dose of the MMR vaccine before international travel
- Children 12 months and older need two doses, separated by at least 28 days
- Adolescents and adults who have not had measles or been vaccinated also should get two doses, at least 28 days apart.
- Adults in high-risk groups, including those who are traveling internationally, health-care workers and those in communities with ongoing outbreaks should check with their health-care providers.
- It’s best to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before travel. If that is not possible, travelers should still get one dose before departing.
