June 5, 2007

Measles Update: Japanese tourists well, return home

The last group of visitors departed Vancouver for Japan today after health assessments prior to their departure revealed no signs or symptoms of illness among the travellers.

Thirty nine students and two chaperons originally scheduled to fly home May 31 remained in Canada for medical observation after one student was assessed with signs and symptoms of possible measles. The student later recovered and medical tests revealed she did not have measles at the time. As well, regular health assessments of other members of the group revealed no signs or symptoms of illness.

Earlier these travellers were in contact with a confirmed case of measles within their tour group. Blood tests revealed these 41 individuals were non-immune to measles, meaning they had not been adequately immunized, or exposed to the virus. The decision was made by public health experts to monitor the group further given that one student showed signs and symptoms of possible measles, and the risk that other non-immune individuals may develop symptoms and become contagious to other passengers in the confined environment on the flight.

The tour group members were assessed by registered nurses twice daily over the course of their extended stay in Canada. None of the students developed signs or symptoms of illness. The individuals were assessed again prior to their departure flights on June 3, June 4 and June 5. As a precaution, a registered nurse accompanied each of the flights in the unlikely event that one of the passengers became ill en route.

Prudent public health practice, and Canada's international health obligations, require that all appropriate measures be taken to minimize potential risk to public health posed by an ill traveller. The objective throughout this situation was to return the visitors home as soon as possible while minimizing any risk to public health.

Japanese officials have collaborated closely with Canadian authorities throughout this situation, and are now encouraging travellers to ensure their immunizations are up to date before leaving Japan.

Background

The case of a Japanese student presenting with measles while travelling in Canada was reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada on May 28. After visiting several tourist destinations in Victoria, Vancouver and Burnaby, the student 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 student was part of a larger organized Canadian tour of Japanese students that included a visit to Banff National Park. The remaining 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.

Overall, the risk of transmission to the general Canadian population was considered to be low. 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 throughout the 1990s.

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

No cases have been identified in Canada to date in relation to this situation. Recent reports of sporadic cases of measles in Quebec are not been the single case of one Japanese visitor.

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. Canadians 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