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Boston Globe
17-07-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
What to know about measles when traveling
Advertisement Staying safe in airports, on airplanes, and in crowded areas Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up One problem with measles is not only that it spreads so efficiently, but also that it hangs in the air and remains infectious for a couple of hours. It can also survive on surfaces. So you don't have to be in the room or on the bus with the sick person. The other problem is that the most infectious period begins before the signature rash appears — people who are coming down with measles often have extremely runny noses, and yes, there's measles virus in the mucous, as well as in their breath and their coughs and sneezes. Those who are vulnerable might consider masks in airports, airplanes, and other crowded circumstances, which also protect against other infections. Those at highest risk — unvaccinated and immunocompromised people — should think carefully about avoiding crowds, especially indoors. Advertisement Good hand washing is also always a good idea while traveling and helps protect you against more than measles. Consider your route and destination For domestic travel, the highest risk areas are Texas and nearby states, but cases have been reported in other states, including California, Florida, and New York. In May, the New Jersey Department of Health sent out an alert about a measles exposure from a 'non-NJ measles case' at Newark Liberty International Airport. Internationally, measles continues to be a problem in many countries; the CDC has a list of the top 10, which includes India and Romania, but cases have been reported all over Europe, and the CDC recommends that all travelers be fully vaccinated before traveling to any international destination (a country-by-country list is available). Be sure you're immune The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine cannot be given if you are pregnant, immunocompromised, or have recently had certain other vaccines. It also cannot be given to infants under 6 months. Anyone else who needs a vaccine should get it at least two weeks before traveling. Adults can find out whether they're immune by getting a measles titer checked (a blood test), though anyone born in the United States before 1957 is assumed to have had measles, and therefore developed immunity, whether they know it or not (that's how infectious it is). Adults who have had two doses of the MMR vaccine can assume they are immune. But some adults born between 1963 and 1967 got a different, less effective vaccine; people born through 1989 may have gotten the right vaccine, but only a single dose. If you know you were vaccinated, but aren't sure whether you had the two doses, you can have your titer checked, or just choose to get an additional dose. Advertisement Consider early vaccination for children For children, the first MMR dose is normally given at age 1, but if you're traveling with a child who is at least 6 months old, they can get the first dose early and then get another when they turn 1 (they will end up getting a total of three doses since they still need two doses at and after age 1 to count as fully vaccinated). In the normal vaccination schedule, children who get the first MMR at 1 get their second MMR at 4 to 6 years, but in fact, children who have had that first dose can get the second as early as 28 days after the first, and they will then be fully protected. Similarly, an unvaccinated older child or adolescent (or adult) can get the second dose starting 28 days after the first. This all means that the vaccination process should start at least six weeks before travel. So, the ideal is to have received two doses before travel (two doses are 97 percent effective at preventing measles). But even those who have time to get only a single dose should have significant protection against developing measles, and against severe illness. What to do if you know you've been exposed If you know you've been exposed to measles while traveling, let a local health authority know right away. There are situations in which vaccines or immune globulin may be offered, especially to protect people at high risk, but this must be done promptly. Do your doctor (and everyone in the waiting room) a favor: Warn the office before you come in that there's a risk of measles, so they can take precautions. And similarly, if anyone gets sick after a trip, let your doctor know about the recent travel. Advertisement Is measles really a serious disease? Yes, measles still kills more than 100,000 people worldwide every year. It is a miserable disease, with high fevers and significant discomfort, and it can result in permanent neurological damage or lead to a delayed — and fatal — degenerative disease. Many children have been hospitalized during the Texas outbreak; the infection is particularly dangerous in pregnancy, to infants and toddlers, and to anyone with a compromised immune system. 'We have been able to prevent measles for 60 years and yet we're still having this conversation,' said Dr. Adam Ratner, a pediatric infectious disease physician in New York City and author of the 2025 book, 'Booster Shots: The Urgent Lessons of Measles and the Uncertain Future of Children's Health.' 'We brought this on ourselves,' he said.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Officials Warn of Measles Exposure at Shakira's New Jersey Concert
New Jersey officials have warned that someone from out of state attended a Shakira concert while infected with measles The state's Department of Health shared that although cases have not yet been connected with the show, symptoms could develop as late as June 6 There have been three deaths and more than 1,000 people infected by the wildly contagious virus in the U.S. so far this yearA concert-goer attended a recent Shakira concert while infectious with measles, traveling from out-of-state to the singer's recent stadium show in New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Health issued a warning May 20 alerting residents of 'a newly identified case of measles in a non-NJ resident who attended a concert in NJ while infectious.' The sickened individual attended Shakira's Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour on May 15, and the agency warned that anyone who was at MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, between the hours of 7:30 pm until 1 am, could have been exposed. As the U.S. Centers for DIsease Control points out, the virus is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes; the virus stays in the air for up to two hours. The show was sold out, and MetLife Stadium has a capacity of more than 82,000 people. Although the NJDOH notes that at this time, no new cases have been associated with attendance at the show, symptoms could develop as late as June 6. According to the most recent data from the CDC, there have been 1,024 confirmed cases of measles across 14 outbreaks this year. The majority of cases are in children, with 303 cases in children under 5, and 388 cases in kids between ages 5 and 19. The CDC says 96% of those sickened are unvaccinated, or their vaccine status is unknown. The agency says best protection against the wildly contagious illness is 'two doses of the MMR vaccine' — which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. The first dose is administered between 12 and 15 months of age; the second shot comes between 4 and 6 years. However, some adults may not remember getting the shots — or if they were born before 1957, traditional guidelines considered them immune. Measles was so widespread before the vaccine's introduction in 1963, medical professionals assume most people were exposed to it, resulting in some immunity. Measles 'isn't just a little rash,' the CDC says, warning that it can be 'dangerous,' especially for babies and young children. One in 5 people who get the virus will be hospitalized, with symptoms including high fever, a cough, red, runny eyes and nose. It can cause 'cause severe health complications,' the CDC says, including pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death. Three people have died in the U.S. from the measles so far this year. Multiple large-scale studies have found that vaccines are safe. There is no scientific link between vaccines and autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Shakira Concertgoers Warned of Possible Measles Exposure
Health officials in New Jersey have issued a warning to anyone who attended the Shakira concert at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on May 15 after an individual was found to have been infected with the measles potentially exposing tens of thousands of concertgoers. On Tuesday, the New Jersey Department of Health issued a statement warning anyone who was at the stadium between 7:30 p.m. on May 15 and 1:00 a.m. on May 16 may have been exposed to measles. "The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is alerting residents about potential exposures associated with a newly identified case of measles in a non-NJ resident who attended a concert in NJ while infectious. Individuals – especially parents, guardians, health care providers, and caregivers – are urged to be aware of the symptoms of this highly contagious virus and to ensure they are up to date with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) shots," the New Jersey Department of Health said in a statement. "Measles symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a rash that usually appears between three and five days after symptoms begin. The rash usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, torso, arms, legs, and feet. Measles can also cause serious complications, such as pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and can lead to miscarriage in pregnant people, premature birth, or a low-birth-weight baby." The NJDOH warns that the highly contagious virus spreads easily through the air when someone coughs or sneezes, adding that it can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area. Those who have not been fully vaccinated or have not had measles in the past are at most risk, the NJDOH warns, adding that the best way to protect yourself from measles, mumps, and rubella is by taking the MMR vaccine.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Officials Warn of Measles Exposure at Shakira's New Jersey Concert
New Jersey officials have warned that someone from out of state attended a Shakira concert while infected with measles The state's Department of Health shared that although cases have not yet been connected with the show, symptoms could develop as late as June 6 There have been three deaths and more than 1,000 people infected by the wildly contagious virus in the U.S. so far this yearA concert-goer attended a recent Shakira concert while infectious with measles, traveling from out-of-state to the singer's recent stadium show in New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Health issued a warning May 20 alerting residents of 'a newly identified case of measles in a non-NJ resident who attended a concert in NJ while infectious.' The sickened individual attended Shakira's Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour on May 15, and the agency warned that anyone who was at MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, between the hours of 7:30 pm until 1 am, could have been exposed. As the U.S. Centers for DIsease Control points out, the virus is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes; the virus stays in the air for up to two hours. The show was sold out, and MetLife Stadium has a capacity of more than 82,000 people. Although the NJDOH notes that at this time, no new cases have been associated with attendance at the show, symptoms could develop as late as June 6. According to the most recent data from the CDC, there have been 1,024 confirmed cases of measles across 14 outbreaks this year. The majority of cases are in children, with 303 cases in children under 5, and 388 cases in kids between ages 5 and 19. The CDC says 96% of those sickened are unvaccinated, or their vaccine status is unknown. The agency says best protection against the wildly contagious illness is 'two doses of the MMR vaccine' — which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. The first dose is administered between 12 and 15 months of age; the second shot comes between 4 and 6 years. However, some adults may not remember getting the shots — or if they were born before 1957, traditional guidelines considered them immune. Measles was so widespread before the vaccine's introduction in 1963, medical professionals assume most people were exposed to it, resulting in some immunity. Measles 'isn't just a little rash,' the CDC says, warning that it can be 'dangerous,' especially for babies and young children. One in 5 people who get the virus will be hospitalized, with symptoms including high fever, a cough, red, runny eyes and nose. It can cause 'cause severe health complications,' the CDC says, including pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death. Three people have died in the U.S. from the measles so far this year. Multiple large-scale studies have found that vaccines are safe. There is no scientific link between vaccines and autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shakira Fans May Have Been Exposed to Measles at New Jersey Concerts: Serious Health Alert
Last week, Shakira performed two nights at the famed MetLife Stadium — only for New Jersey's Department of Health to issue a serious statement about a possible measles outbreak due to one concertgoer. The four-time Grammy Award winner, 48, may have killed it at back-to-back shows at the East Rutherford, New Jersey stadium as part of her Las Mujeres Ya No Llora World Tour — but it's the health scare following the concerts that has attendees seriously worried. The "Hips Don't Lie" singer performed her first MetLife show this tour on Thursday, May 15 and her second night on Friday, May 16. On Tuesday May 20, the New Jersey Department of Health made an unexpected and serious statement about the potential spread of the illness after an out-of-state infected fan attended the shows. The NJDOH urged fellow concertgoers and New Jersey residents to be vigilant of any measles symptoms that could show up. "The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is alerting residents about potential exposures associated with a newly identified case of measles in a non-NJ resident who attended a concert in NJ while infectious," the statement read, revealing that any fans who attended Shakira's May 15 and 16th shows at MetLife should be particularly cautious. While the NJDOH reported that "no additional associated cases in New Jersey have been identified," the health department made sure to note that those exposed to the measles at the shows "could develop symptoms as late as June 6, 2025." Shakira has yet to address the potential measles outbreak at her New Jersey shows. Following the performances at MetLife, she continued on to her regularly scheduled tour stop in Montreal on Tuesday.
