‘Highly contagious virus' prompts CDC travel alert

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2 days ago

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is warning international travelers that they should be fully vaccinated against a disease that has become 'an ongoing risk around the world.'
Since January 2025, the CDC received at least 62 reports of travelers who were contagious with measles, according to CBS News. This 'highly contagious virus' has been on the rise in many countries and can easily infect people through coughing and sneezing, making it readily transmissible to international travelers.
Symptoms for measles can be more than just a red and bumpy rash. People can also experience a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, according to the CDC. The disease can become severe at any age and lead to complications like pneumonia (infection of the lungs), encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and death. More common complications include ear infections and diarrhea.
Children under 5 years old, adults over 20, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems are more likely to suffer from measles complications.
The disease can be caught in many travel settings including travel hubs like airports and train stations, airplanes and trains, tourist attractions and crowded events, the CDC warns.
The virus can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area. Infection occurs when individuals breathe in contaminated air or touch an infected surface and then touch their face. People can spread measles up to four days before their rash even appears.
'Infected travelers can bring the disease back to their home countries where it can spread rapidly among people who are not immune,' the CDC wrote.
In response, the CDC issued a 'level one' warning, advising travelers to 'practice usual precautions,' and emphasizing that all international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Travelers are at risk if they have not had measles in the past or haven't been fully vaccinated at least two weeks before departure.
Receiving two doses of a measles-containing vaccine is the best way to protect against the disease, the CDC states. This includes an early dose for infants 6 through 11 months old and a total of two doses at least 28 days apart for anyone 12 months old or older without adequate evidence of immunity. The agency noted that if an infant had one dose of MMR vaccine before their first birthday, they should follow the recommended routine childhood immunization schedule and get another dose at 12 to 15 months and a final dose at 4 to 6 years old.
Children 12 months old and older, teenagers and adults unsure of their immunity against measles should receive two doses of MMR vaccine at least 28 days apart before international travel. If a child receives a first dose of measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV), they can receive a dose of MMR at least 28 days later, according to the CDC. However, they would not be able to receive another dose of MMRV until three months after a prior MMRV dose.
Travelers unsure if they or their travel companions are fully protected against measles should schedule an appointment with their clinician at least six weeks before traveling, the health agency wrote. This allows ample time to get fully vaccinated if needed.
Read the original article on MassLive.