PAHO also recommends that any resident of the Americas planning to travel to other regions of the world should be protected against measles and rubella prior to departing on their trip. This recommendation is also relevant to residents of Sint Maarten, according to the Collective Preventive Service (CPS) of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour.
Travelers who have not been vaccinated against measles and rubella are at risk of contracting these diseases when visiting countries where the viruses are currently circulating. Special efforts should be made to ensure vaccination for women of childbearing age in order to prevent possible infections caused by the rubella virus during pregnancy.
There is currently an outbreak of measles in 30 European countries. Since the beginning of the year, the WHO has reported at least 6,500 cases of measles with significant outbreaks observed in 30 countries, including Belguim, France, Serbia, Turkey, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Spain.
Measles are highly contagious and remains one of the world's biggest causes of death among young children, an estimated 164,000 people died from the virus in 2008. This disease can be prevented through a safe and effective vaccine.
Due to various cultural and sporting events that will be hosted by countries in the Americas, PAHO urges all travelers visiting any country in the Region to get vaccinated for measles and rubella before arriving in the Americas, in order to reduce the risk of reintroducing these diseases that have already been eliminated in the Americas.
International travelers must show evidence of immunity to measles and rubella.
