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Measles ALERT FROM HEALTH CANADA - February 2024

Measles Update

Public health alert - Global increase in measles cases

Date of alert: February 06, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic caused global disruptions, delays, and gaps in immunization activities for routine vaccinations, including measles.

There is an increase of measles activity worldwide. Any non-immune person (not vaccinated or vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can become infected. Unvaccinated young children and pregnant persons are at highest risk of severe measles complications.

There is an increasing risk of importing measles into Canada through travel of non-immune people.

Protection against measles is especially important for people planning travel. As such, the following is recommended for those travelling outside of Canada:

Travellers born before 1970:

1 dose of the measles-containing vaccine is recommended before travel if the traveller has no laboratory evidence of immunity (e.g. through blood testing or history of lab-confirmed measles disease).

Travellers born in 1970 or after (12 months or older):

2 doses of the measles-containing vaccine are recommended before travel if there is no laboratory evidence of immunity (e.g. through blood testing or history of lab-confirmed measles disease).

Travelling with infants (6 months to 12 months of age):

If your patient is travelling with an infant to regions where measles is a concern, the vaccine may be given as early as 6 months of age. If this is the case, the routine 2-dose series must be restarted on or after the first birthday. A total of 3 doses are given.

o It is not recommended that infants under 6 months of age be vaccinated because the effectiveness and safety of the MMR vaccine has not been established in this age group.

NEWS ALERT - 02 JAN 2025 - SPAIN

Spain: Significant Hepatitis A Increase

According to Spain's Ministry of Health, more than 170 cases of hepatitis A have been reported since early December 2024. More than 850 cases, a 2-fold increase over average incidence, have been reported since January 2024 (primarily in men aged 25-44 years) throughout the country, mainly in Andalucia (> 660 cases) and Community of Madrid (> 160 cases) autonomous communities. The outbreak is past peak. Travelers going to risk areas should observe food and beverage precautions, hand hygiene (frequent, thorough handwashing), and safer-sex practices. Shoreland continues to recommend vaccination for certain high-risk populations going to Spain. Because of possible ongoing risk and the long incubation period of hepatitis A, vaccination should be considered (ideally within 2 weeks of potential exposure) for any unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated traveler who has been in Spain in the past 2 months.

Dr. Darin P. Cherniwchan Inc.

dba Fraser Valley Travel Clinic

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We are privileged to meet at the Abbotsford office on which is considered part of the traditional and unceded territory of the Stó:lō people, the Semá:th First Nation and Mathxwí First Nation.

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Measles ALERT FROM HEALTH CANADA - February 2024

Measles Update

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NEWS ALERT - 02 JAN 2025 - SPAIN

Spain: Significant Hepatitis A Increase