U.S. CDC Issued Health Advisory Regarding Global and Local Measles Cases

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today it issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory (CDCHAN-00504) to inform clinicians and public health officials of an increase in global and U.S. measles cases.

The U.S. CDC recently republished a global Watch-Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions, Travel Health Notice, identifying measles outbreaks in 46 countries.

From January to March 14, 2024, the CDC was notified of 58 confirmed U.S. measles cases across 17 jurisdictions, including seven outbreaks in seven jurisdictions.

This year's activity compares with 58 total measles cases and four outbreaks reported the entire year in 2023.

Among the 58 cases reported in 2024, 54 (93%) were linked to international travel.

In Chicago, there has been a measles outbreak centered around a local shelter in 2024.

The AMA President Jesse Ehrenfeld commented in a video on March 18, 2024, that about '1,900 migrants were in the shelter, and 1,000 had immunity. About 900 of them needed to be vaccinated and now need to quarantine for 21 days. We know that at least 98 migrants, which includes 48 children, have been taken to a Chicago area hotel to quarantine for the next 20 days, and that's to help further curb the virus spread.'

Furthermore, today's HAN offers guidance on measles prevention for all international travelers aged ≥6 months and all children aged ≥12 months who do not plan to travel internationally.

Most cases reported in 2024 have been among children 12 months and older without a measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

To prevent measles infection and reduce the risk of community transmission from importation, all U.S. residents traveling internationally, regardless of destination, should be current on their MMR vaccinations, wrote the CDC on March 18, 2024.

Measles (rubeola) is highly contagious; one infected with measles can infect about 90% of unvaccinated individuals with whom they come in close contact.

The CDC says that even if children are not traveling, they should be ensured that they receive all recommended doses of the MMR vaccine.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide better protection (97%) against measles than one dose (93%).

Getting the MMR vaccine is much safer than getting these diseases. Various measles vaccines are generally available at community pharmacies in the U.S.

This CDC web app empowers international travelers to determine whether or not they need an additional measles vaccination before departure. 

The full, unedited HAN is available at this CDC link.