Public Health Alert – Increased risk of measles related to travel
Situation
Measles is on the rise globally, with an increase in cases being reported in Ontario and elsewhere in the world. The increases are largely due to the importation of measles by international travelers and the disruptions in immunization delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the increased number of unimmunized or partially immunized people, cases of measles continue to rise in many countries.
Travelers are at risk of exposure as measles can spread easily through the air when sharing enclosed spaces with others throughout their trip. Travel not only exposes individuals to outbreaks and diseases that are currently impacting the country being visited but additionally exposes individuals to travelers from other countries.
Immunization is the best way to protect against measles. Individuals traveling should ensure they are adequately protected before traveling.
Actions
- Support all patients/clients, whether or not they are travelling, to be immunized according to the Canadian Immunization Guide and the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario.
- In advance of any upcoming international travel, patients should be encouraged to ensure their immunizations are up to date. In addition to routine immunizations, the following is recommended for those at higher risk of exposure to measles:
- Infants 6 to 11 months of age who are travelling to areas with increased measles transmission should be immunized with one dose of MMR. Two additional doses are required on or after the first birthday.
- Adults 18 years of age and older who have previously received one dose of MMR should receive a second dose if they are health care workers, post-secondary students, planning to travel to areas with increased measles transmission or based on the health care provider’s clinical judgement.
- In advance of any upcoming international travel, patients should be encouraged to ensure their immunizations are up to date. In addition to routine immunizations, the following is recommended for those at higher risk of exposure to measles:
- Communicate with patients that vaccines are highly effective in preventing disease transmission.
- Consider measles in patients presenting with fever and rash and other measles symptoms (cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis), among those with recent travel or those who have had known contact with a case of measles.
- Use airborne precautions when measles is suspected.
- Follow current testing guidance as laid out by Public Health Ontario Laboratory as use of the wrong test can result in delayed diagnosis, delayed treatment and appropriate control measures (e.g. for measles, PCR testing is definitive but serology may provide ambiguous results).
- Notify Northwestern Health Unit when you suspect or confirm a case of measles or any other Disease of Public Health Significance.
Contact:
Sandra Krikke
Acting Manager, Infectious Diseases
Northwestern Health Unit
skrikke@nwhu.on.ca