Some Measles and Rubella outbreaks have been reported already this year in Vietnam, Ukraine, Russia, Liberia, Australia, Nigeria, Sudan Pakistan, Canada and the Philippines.  Both diseases are highly infectious, and are spread by droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.  These droplets are either floating in the air and can be inhaled, or settle on surfaces, which can then picked up on our hands, and transferred to our face.  Infected people can carry and spread these diseases before they develop symptoms.

For many, these diseases will be a mild viral infection causing fever and rash plus other symptoms, though it is often worse if caught as an adult.  Both diseases will often cause serious problems for the baby if mum catches them while she is pregnant.  Measles and Rubella illness is most often seen in the under 5’s, but can be caught at any age in those who have not had the disease or completed a course of MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella).  Complications of Measles and Rubella illness include pneumonia, ear and eye infections, croup and more seriously, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).  Many thousands of people worldwide will die of these diseases each year, so it is important for travelers to remember to protect themselves.

The Travel Clinic can offer MMR vaccination for people who wish to protect themselves for life in general, or for travel to countries where outbreaks have been reported.  It is highly recommended that women ensure they have protection from these illnesses before they get pregnant.