Released: June 01, 2007
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is monitoring a large outbreak of measles in Japan. PHAC reminds travellers that they should ensure their routine (childhood) immunizations, including measles, are up to date before traveling internationally.
According to Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases, the number of reported cases of measles has increased significantly in 2007. Among children, 691cases have been reported from paediatric sentinels from January 1 to May 23, 2007, which exceeds the total yearly reported cases in 2005 (537 cases) and 2006 (519 cases). Among adolescents and adults, 208 cases have been reported from hospital sentinels from January 1 to May 23, 2007.
The South Kanto region, which includes Tokyo, Saitama, Kanagawa, and Chiba prefectures, is considered to be the centre of the epidemic; however, cases have been reported and continue to increase nationwide.
Source: National Institute of Infectious Diseases (Japan)
Disease Information: Measles
Measles is a highly contagious and acute infectious disease caused by a virus. Persons with infection develop fever and rash. Complications such as pneumonia, diarrhea, middle ear infection and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) may occur. Measles mainly affects young children, but can strike older children and adults who are not immune either by infection of vaccination.
The measles virus is spread by airborne droplets or (close personal) direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons. It is less commonly spread through contact with contaminated articles, such as tissue paper that has been freshly soiled with nose or throat secretions. Vaccination remains the best protection against measles.
For more information on measles, please visit the Travel Medicine Program's Disease Information Backgrounder on Measles.
Recommendations
International travel can expose Canadians to traditional childhood infectious diseases, such as diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella – that, while no longer common in Canada, are common in many other countries in the world. Canada has a high standard of childhood immunization programs, and measles vaccination is included in our national childhood immunization schedule. Canadians travelling internationally should however, ensure their routine (childhood) immunizations, including measles are up to date before travelling, regardless of their destination.
Protection against measles is especially important for people planning foreign travel, including adolescents and adults who have not had measles disease and have not been adequately immunized.
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccination Recommendations for Travellers from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization:
Children: routine vaccination is recommended at 12 months of age with a combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) followed by a booster dose at either 18 months of age or at 4 to 6 years of age. For children traveling to countries where measles is endemic, MMR may be given as early as 6-months of age but the routine series of two doses must then be re-started after the child is 12 months old.
Adults and adolescents: two doses of measles-containing vaccine (MMR) are recommended for all unimmunized adult travellers who were born in or after 1970 and who travelling to a measles-endemic area, unless there is serologic proof of immunity or physician documentation of prior measles.
It is important to note that prevention of infection through immunization is a lifelong process. As you age, your vaccine-acquired immunity against some of the above noted illnesses may decrease. As a result, additional vaccination may be recommended to boost your immunity.
As a reminder...
The Public Health Agency of Canada routinely recommends that Canadian international travellers consult their personal physician or a travel clinic four to six weeks prior to international travel, regardless of destination, for an individual risk assessment to determine their individual health risks and their need for vaccination, preventative medication, and personal protective measures.
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends, as well, that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada should seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician, without being asked, that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada, and where they have been.
For more information on:
Diseases
Disease Information Backgrounder - Measles
Immunization
Immunizations recommended for travel outside of Canada
National Advisory Committee on Immunization's Canadian Immunization Guide
Outbreaks of Vaccine Preventable Childhood Infectious Diseases
International Reports of Vaccine Preventable Childhood Infectious Diseases
