Measles

February 2009

What is Measles?

Measles is a highly contagious disease and is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths in children worldwide.

Cause	Measles is caused by a virus.
Risk to Travellers	Unvaccinated and non-immune travellers are at risk when visiting countries or areas where measles continues to occur, or travelling through an international airport where they can come into contact with persons from measles endemic countries.
Severity	Measles can be severe and cause death. Death can occur due to complications of the illness. Children under the age of five and adults over the age of 20 are at higher risk of developing severe complications.
Prevention	Get vaccinated.
Treatment	For more serious cases, antibiotics may be required as well as medical supportive care.

Symptoms

• Can take about 10 to 12 days to appear.
• Usually include fever, cough, runny nose, conjuctivitis(pink eye) and rash.
• The most serious complications are severe diarrhea, ear infections, pneumonia, blindness, and encephalitis (swelling of the brain) which may lead to death.

Transmission

• Measles is spread by airborne droplets (sneezing or coughing).
• You can also catch measles by coming into contact with secretions from the nose or throat of a person who is infected.  
• Infected individuals are generally contagious four days before and four days after a rash first appears.

Where is Measles a concern?

Measles occurs worldwide but is rare in countries of the Americas.  It is a common disease in many developing countries (parts of Africa, eastern Mediterranean and Asia) and some countries in Western Europe and Asia.

Related Travel Health Notices

Global Measles Activity - Travel Health Notice

Recommendations for Travellers

1. Get vaccinated
   
   Canadians are reminded to keep all vaccinations up-to-date.  See provincial/territorial immunization schedules for further information.
   
   

   If you are travelling to an area where measles occurs and you were born in or after 1970, or were born outside of Canada and were not adequately vaccinated, you may be at risk of infection. 

1. Travelling with Infants and Children:
   • Two doses of measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine are recommended for children.
     • (1) The first dose should be given on or after the first birthday and the second dose should be given after 15 months of age.
     • (2) During outbreaks or for travel to regions where measles occurs, the vaccine may be given as early as six months of age. Under these circumstances, the routine two dose series must be then restarted on or after the first birthday, for a total of three doses.
2. Adults:
   • Adults born in or after 1970 should ensure that they have received two doses of the vaccine.

You may be protected against measles if:

• You were born before 1970; or
• You have proof of immunity (e.g. through blood testing).
2. Monitor your health
   • If you develop symptoms similar to measles when you return to Canada, you should see a health care provider.
   • Describe your symptoms to your health care provider before your appointment. That way he/she can arrange to see you without exposing others to measles.

Don’t Forget …

1. Consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before you travel.
2. What to do if you get sick when you are travelling.
3. What to do if you get sick after you return to Canada.
4. Know what vaccines you need and when to get them.

Other Related Information

Public Health Agency of Canada - Vaccine-Preventable Diseases - Measles

Canadian Immunization Guide- Seventh Edition (2006) -Measles Vaccine

World Health Organization – Fact sheet on Measles