Talking Point: Measles Outside the United States (Updated, April 10, 2017)

Talking Points – Measles Outside the U.S.

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The following Talking Points can be used in conversations with the media and clients when discussing the measles outbreaks, including in Indonesia, Romania and Guinea. (Updated April 10, 2017)

1. Measles is still very common in many parts of the world, including areas in Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Africa.

2. Travelers can easily protect themselves by making certain their vaccinations are up-to-date.

3. We are here to assist our clients; the safety and well-being of our clients is our top priority.

Below you will find additional information, supporting material, and statistics supporting each talking point.

1. Measles is still very common in many parts of the world, including areas in Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Africa.

 The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued Watch Level 1 advisories for measles in Indonesia, Romania and Guinea.

o A Watch Level 1 travel health notice from the CDC is the lowest of three advisories it issues, meaning it recommends travelers “practice usual precautions” – in this case, it means being vaccinated for measles prior to traveling.

 Several countries have reported that travelers who recently visited Indonesia have been diagnosed with measles, necessitating the CDC’s Watch Level 1 advisory.

o Some of these travelers were visiting the popular tourist destination of Bali.

o The Australian Broadcasting Corporation noted an increase in measles cases: “The first major outbreak of measles in Sydney in five years was sparked by a traveller who contracted it in Indonesia, then introduced it to others in western Sydney, NSW health authorities say. In the past week 10 cases have been confirmed in the Auburn and Bankstown Local Government areas.”

o Focus Taiwan News channel reported that “An 11-month-old baby girl has been confirmed as being infected with measles …The baby, who had not been inoculated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and had been to Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia with her family in mid-February, developed symptoms of fever, diarrhea, Koplik’s spots and rash on March 5, according to the CDC.”

o According to the CDC, Canadian health officials have also reported measles cases in travelers returning from Indonesia.

 The CDC also reported a measles outbreak in 13 of Guinea’s 33 prefectures. The CDC issued the Watch Level 1 advisory for Guinea on March 10, 2017.

o Outbreak News Today reports that “The number of suspected cases has increased rapidly, reaching 407 this week [March 4, 2017], compared to 234 last week. More than 3.7 million children need to be urgently vaccinated in the country.”

 

 On November 10, 2016, the CDC announced that a measles outbreak had been confirmed in Romania.

o On March 7, 2017, the Sofia Globe said, “In Romania, 17 children have died from measles in the past weeks. Health minister Florian Bodog said in Bucharest, none of the children who died were vaccinated against the disease.”

o The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control noted that “As of March 3, 2017, 3,196 cases had been reported to the National Institute of Public Health in Romania since the end of September 2016.”

 Measles continues to be an ongoing public health issue worldwide, as well. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that, as of March 9, 2017, there have been:

o 321 laboratory confirmed cases of measles in the African region

o 21 laboratory confirmed cases in the Americas region

o 407 laboratory confirmed cases in the Eastern Mediterranean region

o 423 laboratory confirmed cases in the European region

o 376 laboratory confirmed cases in the Western Pacific region

 The majority of measles cases that are brought into the United States come from unvaccinated U.S. residents or visitors.

 Clinicians should keep measles in mind when treating patients with fever and rash, especially if the patient has recently traveled internationally.

2. Travelers can easily protect themselves by making certain their vaccinations are up-to-date.

 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): “Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It spreads through the air through coughing and sneezing. Measles starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat, and is followed by a rash that spreads all over the body.”

 According to the CDC, “Travelers who have not been vaccinated are at risk of getting the disease and spreading it to their friends and family members who may not be up-to-date with vaccinations. Because of this risk, all travelers should be up-to-date on their vaccinations, regardless of where they are going.”

 In the U.S., the vaccines that are available are the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccines.

o The CDC states: “MMR has been used safely and effectively since the 1970s. A few people experience mild, temporary adverse reactions, such as joint pain, from the vaccine, but serious side effects are extremely rare. There is no link between MMR and autism.”

 Both children and adults who are traveling should be vaccinated. The CDC offers the following guidelines:

o Routine vaccination for children in the U.S. is between 12-15 months, but younger children traveling outside of the U.S. can receive the vaccine starting at six months old.

o Children 12 months or older, adolescents, and adults who are traveling outside the United States must have received two doses of MMR or other live measles-containing vaccine to be considered immune to measles.

o Also, those who have had the diagnosis of measles documented by a physician, have laboratory evidence of immunity, or were born before 1957 are considered immune.

3. We are here to assist our clients; the safety and well-being of our clients is our top priority.

 We would not send our clients to a particular destination if we believed it to be unsafe or were unable to provide precautions to minimize risks. Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may be planning to travel there and provide detailed information on the situation so they can make informed decisions for themselves if they still wish to travel.

 The CDC has issued Watch Level 1 health notices urging travelers to practice usual precautions when visiting Indonesia, Romania and Guinea. Additional measles cases have been reported worldwide.

 Our business is founded on repeat customers. Therefore, we want to be sure everything goes off without a hitch.

 By working with a true travel professional, we assist our clients by consulting on the ideal vacation experience they are looking for and providing alternative destinations should the need arise.