Alabama Beware: CDC Issues Travel Notice After Measles Outbreak

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued level one Travel Health Notices (THNs) due to a "highly contagious virus outbreak."

What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing .

Signs/symptoms- rash, high fever, and a cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes.

The measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace or on a surface after an infected person leaves an area. People can spread measles up to four days before and four days after a rash.

Here are some important things to know.

- Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles.
- Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure or have not had measles in the past and travel internationally.
- The majority of measles cases imported into the United States occur in unvaccinated US residents who become infected during international travel.
- All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6-11 months, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .
-Travelers with suspected measles should notify the healthcare facility before visiting so staff can implement precautions to prevent spread within the facility.

Measles can be severe in all age groups and can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia and death. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis (infection of the brain).

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