New Warning of Measles Travel Risk from CDC: Expert Advice

Brian and Erika Parker spent a year and a half completing adoption paperwork. They adopted their daughter, Emily, from India. While they waited, the Parkers sent care packages and received reports about her.

When Emily was seven and a half, the Parkers noticed she was losing coordination. ER doctors from India at the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania asked if she had measles. They suspected SSPE (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis), a fatal brain disorder linked to measles complications.

A few months later, Emily slipped into a coma. She died a month after her eighth birthday. After Emily’s passing, the Parkers founded Emily’s Hope. The foundation promotes awareness of measles, SSPE, and the safety of the MMR vaccine.

As measles cases in many countries rise, families like the Parkers bear the brunt of international risks. Global disease trends have prompted a new CDC warning. The CDC recommends that all international travelers get fully vaccinated for measles.

Why Did the CDC Update Measles Travel Guidelines

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. Travelers can catch measles in airports, crowded places, and on public transit. Measles spreads through coughing and sneezing. Viral particles can survive up to two hours in the air or on surfaces.

Infected travelers can bring measles back to their home communities. The virus spreads quickly among unvaccinated people.

The CDC has reported at least 62 cases of travelers infected with measles this year. Most of these infected travelers are unvaccinated and caught measles abroad.

The MMR vaccine is approved by the CDC to protect against the virus. Travelers should get fully vaccinated at least two weeks before their trip. If you cannot safely get vaccinated, the CDC suggests postponing your trip.

Measles can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and death.

What Advice Does the CDC Give about Measles Vaccination?

Two doses of MMR vaccine protect against measles. Infants aged 6 to 11 months should get one dose at least two weeks before travel. After their first birthday, children should get two routine doses. The first dose is given at 12 to 15 months, and the second at 4 to 6 years.

Children 12 months and older, teens, and adults need two doses 28 days apart. A child who first received the MMRV vaccine can get MMR 28 days later. MMRV doses must be at least three months apart.

Travelers unsure of their immunity should see a doctor six weeks before travel. Some people cannot safely receive a measles vaccine. They should talk to a doctor and consider postponing trips.

The CDC lists four ways to prove measles immunity: written documentation of MMR vaccination, a lab test showing immunity, lab confirmation of measles, or US birth before 1957.

Conclusion

Measles remains a serious global health risk for travelers. The CDC urges all travelers to get fully vaccinated at least two weeks before travel. Vaccination protects individuals and communities from severe illness and death.

Have an upcoming trip? Passport Health offers a wide variety of options to help keep you safe from disease, including vaccines. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.

Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.