Researchers said that although measles is not too much of a risk in the US it still has a high risk factor for those who travel abroad. A study presented in the ID Week 2015 shows that the lack of pretravel vaccination is a big factor of a virus outbreak in the country.
According to data gathered from 57 travel and medical clinics all over six continents shows that between 2000 and 2014, there were 94 cases of measles reported and the two thirds occurring after 2010. Apparently, measles have directly affected travellers and tourists.
"We think measles is definitely something people should be concerned about, specifically getting vaccinated against," Mark Sotir, the lead author of the US Centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) said. This virus is contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets when sneezing and coughing, which can cause pneumonia, diarrhoea and worse death.
Researchers pointed out that almost 50 per cent of Americans who visited a clinic before traveling did not receive any recommended MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. They also cited a study about a 2015 hepatitis A outbreak in Mexico, which should not have gone viral if the travelers were vaccinated before traveling. They also stated that the most common way for Americans to be ill with the virus is through food and water.
"Americans planning international travel should see their health care providers or visit a travel clinic four to six weeks before the trip to learn what vaccines are recommended before heading to their destinations, " Emily Hyle, the author of Measles Vaccination and a Harvard Medical school instructor said. "Many travelers don't realize their risk of exposure to infections and that many can be avoided with vaccination."
Dr. Esposito from CDC stated that people are recommended to up to date with their vaccination as well as destination specific vaccination.
