June 3, 2007

Information Update: Measles

Members of tour group visiting Canada from Japan will begin flying home today. None of the group currently have any illness suggestive of measles.

Thirty nine students and two chaperons remained in Canada for medical observation after one student was assessed prior to a scheduled May 31 return flight to Tokyo as having an illness suggestive of possible measles. That student is now well and medical tests indicate that she does not currently have measles. Ongoing regular health assessments of other members of the group have revealed no signs nor symptoms of illness.

Although the risk of transmission of measles remains very low at this time, PHAC continues to take every precaution as the students begin departing Vancouver today.

The individuals will continue to be assessed prior to and during their flights for any signs and symptoms. Any student with an illness suggestive of possible measles will be held back for further assessment.

The tour group members will fly home on three separate commercial flights from Vancouver scheduled for June 3, June 4 and June 5. As a precaution, a Quarantine Officer will travel on each flight in the unlikely event the travellers become ill during the flight.

Background

A case of measles in a traveller visiting Canada from Japan was reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada on May 28. The student, after visiting several tourist destinations in Victoria, Vancouver and Burnaby, was admitted to hospital and later confirmed to have measles. Measles is a highly contagious disease that has been virtually eliminated in Canada, but still exists in other parts of the world.

As a precaution, local public health authorities in BC contacted those who may have come in contact with the ill youth to assess their susceptibility to infection and offer preventative medication.

The students and their chaperones were isolated upon arrival in Banff. The students were tested and 41 non-immune individuals were given medication (immune globulin) that can help prevent or delay onset of illness, and minimize symptoms.

The risk of transmission to the general population remains low because most children in Canada routinely receive two doses of the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine between their first and fifth birthdays and most jurisdictions conducted catch-up campaigns with measles containing vaccine in the 1990s.

Keeping up to date with routine immunization is key to measles prevention for Canadians, including those traveling abroad. Two doses of measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine are recommended and are 99% effective in providing protection from measles.

No cases have been identified in Canada to date in relation to this case. It is possible that there will be sporadic cases and only limited transmission to those who are un-immunized or have received only one dose of MMR vaccine.

There are several outbreaks of measles occurring around the world, including a large outbreak in Tokyo, Japan. Routine immunization of Canadians is key to preventing transmission of disease within Canada. Canadian are advised to contact a travel medicine specialist before travelling internationally.

For more information, please visit:

• Measles Outbreak in Japan
• BC Health Alert
• About Measles