The Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) urges residents to ensure they are up-to-date with measles vaccinations before traveling internationally.
Measles is a highly contagious virus which spreads through the air and contaminated surfaces. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first documented cases of measles can be traced to written accounts from a 9th-century Persian doctor.
However, it wasn’t until centuries later, in 1757, when Scottish physician Francis Scott found measles was caused by an infectious agent in the blood of patients.
In 1912, measles became a nationally notifiable disease in the United States, requiring U.S. healthcare providers and laboratories to report all diagnosed cases. In the first decade of reporting, an average of 6,000 measles-related deaths were reported each year.
According to data provided by the CDC, in the decade leading up to the measles vaccine’s development, nearly all children got measles by the time they were 15 years old, with an estimated 3 to 4 million people in the United States infected each year. Every year, around 400 to 500 people die from measles, with 48,000 hospitalizations per year and over 1,000 patients experiencing encephalitis, also known as swelling of the brain.
Symptoms of measles include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes, followed by a rash three to five days later. Infected individuals are contagious from four days before until four days after the rash appears.
According to Yolo County health officials, there is a solution — the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
This vaccine’s development started in 1954, and the final product was approved and distributed to the public in 1968, culminating nearly 15 years of research into a nearly full proof way of preventing the spread of measles in the United States.
And that’s exactly what happened when measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000. This meant the absence of the continuous spread of disease was greater than 12 months, which was able to happen thanks to a highly effective vaccination program in the United States, according to the CDC.
However, measles has made a comeback in communities across the country as the Associated Press has reported more than 700 cases across six states — Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, and New Mexico.
Fortunately, the vaccine is available to prevent the spread of measles — two doses of the MMR vaccine are safe and 97% effective in preventing measles infection.
All measles cases reported in California this year have been linked to international travel. Vaccinations against measles decreased in many countries during the pandemic, allowing measles to spread widely.
“Measles is common in many popular travel destinations,” said Dr. Aimee Sisson, Yolo County Health Officer. “We encourage everyone to check their vaccination status before traveling internationally to ensure they’re protected.”
Children in the United States are recommended to receive two routine MMR vaccinations, the first at 12 to 15 months of age and the second at four to six years of age. However, given the increased risk of exposure to measles with international travel, earlier vaccination is recommended for children traveling outside of the United States.
HHSA advises international travelers to take the following steps:
- Infants (6–11 months old) should receive one dose of MMR vaccine before international travel.
- Children (12 months and older) should receive the first MMR dose immediately, if not already vaccinated, and a second dose at least 28 days later.
- Teens and adults should receive two doses of MMR vaccine before travel (Adults born before 1957 are generally considered immune and do not need MMR vaccination for travel).
Residents should allow at least two weeks between vaccination and departure to ensure full protection. Most health insurance plans cover the MMR vaccine at no cost.
Uninsured or underinsured can access free or low-cost immunizations by calling 2-1-1 or visiting www.YoloCounty.gov/ImmunizationClinics. To learn more about measles and how to protect yourself, visit www.CDC.gov/measles or www.YoloCounty.gov.
