Country Information updates: Measles

NaTHNaC has reviewed the measles risk for travellers and updated TravelHealthPro country-specific information pages with new measles guidance

NaTHNaC and the UK Health Security Agency have recently reviewed destination-specific risk for measles to provide up-to-date recommendations for UK travellers and travel health professionals [1-5]. Further information is available about this review.

Following on from this review new measles content has been added to our country information pages under 'Some travellers' to provide guidance for destinations where an early MMR/MMRV vaccine in infants and young children should be considered.

Any UK traveller planning to travel abroad should ensure they are protected against measles, either by previous infection or by having two doses of a measles containing vaccine e.g. MMR or MMRV.

Measles outbreaks are not usually reported in the TravelHealthPro Outbreak Surveillance section unless unexpected or case number are much higher than normal.

Please note NaTHNaC has also updated the format of the vaccinations for 'All travellers' section on our country pages. Additional information and links are now provided under drop-down headings.

Advice for travellers

Measles is a highly infectious, very unpleasant viral illness that can lead to serious complications and death.

Check our Country Information pages to research general health risks, prevention advice and any vaccine recommendations for your destination.

In the UK, while the first MMRV is given to babies at around 12 months of age, with a second dose given at 18 months. However, in some situations, such as, travel abroad to areas with measles outbreaks, or where measles is endemic, MMR (from six months of age) or MMRV (from nine months of age) can be given to babies to protect them during travel. As not all infants under the age of 12 months will respond to MMR/MMRV vaccine, those vaccinated early should receive two further doses at the recommended ages for lifelong protection [1].

Ask your health professional about the best option for your child before you travel.

Advice for health professionals

Guidance on measles vaccination, including the MMRV vaccine is available in the green book, Immunisation against infectious disease. This includes advice on offering the vaccines to older adults. Advice on measles vaccine for people whose immunisation status is uncertain is also available.

If offering an early MMR/MMRV vaccination for travel to infants and young children please follow the green book advice regarding subsequent vaccination to ensure optimal protection long term.

In the UK, measles is a notifiable disease. All suspected measles cases should be reported to the local health protection team.