Centers for disease control and prevention urge Americans to make sure they are protected against measles before traveling to other countries this summer.
Last week, the agency updated its travel guide for the virus as cases appear throughout the country. Almost all exhibitions at airports are linked to international trips.
That includes six cases linked to a Turkish Airlines flight that landed at Denver International Airport on May 13. The Department of Public Health and Environment of Colorado said that four of the patients had been on the plane.
Two other people were exposed at the airport before getting sick. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world. Drops can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has been there.
According to a NBC news count, 1,125 measles cases in 33 states have been diagnosed in the US. UU. This year. Texas, the state with the largest outbreak, has reported 738 cases.
It is likely that the numbers are vast underestimated, experts say, because many people do not test.
Three people, including two girls in Texas, have died.
Canada and Mexico are also experiencing outbreaks. The Canadian government said it has registered 2,515 confirmed or probable measles cases since the beginning of the year.
Yemen, Pakistan and India lead the list of CDC countries with the largest number of cases, but the agency indicates that measles is a global problem.
“Measles outbreaks are occurring in all regions of the world. Anyone who is not protected against measles can obtain measles while abroad and easily extends to others when they return home,” the CDC wrote on their website.
“Travelers can capture measles in many travel environments, including travel centers such as airports and train stations, in public transport such as airplanes and trains, in tourist attractions and in general events full of people,” according to the last guide of the agency.
People who travel internationally who are not vaccinated or who have never had measles “should talk to their doctor and consider postponeing their trip,” said the agency.
According to CDC, babies up to 6 months of age can obtain an early dose of the measles-potella measles vaccine at least two weeks before the international trip. Older children and adults who do not know if they have been vaccinated should obtain two doses, 28 days apart before a trip.
Two weeks are needed to build immunity. After that, people are considered 97% protected against measles infection.
