2011 Update on Measles for Air Travelers

Measles—one of the most highly contagious diseases known—can cause serious illness, even death.

Measles is spread by contact with an infected person and through coughing, sneezing, and talking. The virus can remain active and contagious for up to 2 hours in the air or on surfaces, therefore transmission can occur without face-to-face contact.

Symptoms appear within 3 weeks of exposure and often start with fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, or sore throat. A rash, usually beginning on the face, follows in 3–5 days.

Measles overseas

• Western Europe has seen several thousands of cases of measles this year, a substantial increase over previous years.
• Measles continues to be widespread in Asia, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, and Africa.
• You may be exposed to measles when you travel overseas. Call your doctor if you get fever and a rash and tell your doctor where you traveled.

Measles in the United States

• In the United States, the widespread use of the highly effective and safe measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine has stopped ongoing measles transmission. Since 2001, an average of 70 measles cases have been reported per year.
• The United States has had an unusually large number of cases of measles in 2011 – over 150 by mid-June – due to an increase in the number of cases coming in from Europe, Asia, and Africa. 
  • The majority of these cases are in foreign visitors and U.S. residents returning from international travel—mostly in unvaccinated U.S. residents.
  • A number of unvaccinated people who did not travel overseas also got measles because they were exposed to someone in the community who had measles.

You are protected from measles if you

• Have had physician or laboratory-diagnosed measles or a positive antibody test for measles OR
• Were born in the United States before 1957 (when measles was still  widespread) OR
• Have had 2 doses of MMR vaccine

If you are not protected, get vaccinated

• Everyone:  Be up-to-date on MMR vaccinations, regardless of any travel plans!
• Travelers: No matter where you travel, make sure you have had 2 doses of MMR vaccine, including children 12 months or older.
• Infants: Infants 6–11 months of age who will be traveling overseas should receive 1 dose of MMR prior to travel (even though the first dose of MMR is not routinely recommended until 12 months of age).

*Please note that MMR vaccines given before 12 months of age should not be counted as part of the routine series: the first vaccine of that series still needs to be administered at 12–15 months of age and the second at least 28 days later.

For more information about measles

• In the News: 2011 Measles Update
• CDC Measles homepage
• Ask your doctor or contact your local or state health department.