Who is at risk?
You are at risk of measles if:
If you have not been fully vaccinated or have not had measles in the past and are traveling internationally to an area where measles is prevalent.
Before traveling abroad
Do not travel if you are sick!
If you think you or your child have measles, contact your doctor right away.
Protect yourself from measles
The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Make sure you get your full measles vaccination at least two weeks before you leave. If you have not been vaccinated and you have less than two weeks before your trip, get the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine protects against all three diseases.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide 97% protection against measles. One dose provides 93% protection.
Call your doctor or local health department, or find a health center or clinic near you to schedule an appointment for the MMR vaccine. The CDC does not recommend the measles vaccine for infants under 6 months of age.
Travelling with an infant under 12 months of age
An early dose is given at 6-11 months of age. Another dose is given at 12-15 months of age, following the recommended schedule. A final dose is given at 4-6 years of age.
Children aged 12 months and over
Get your first dose immediately. Get your second dose 28 days after the first.
Teens and adults without evidence of immunity*
Get your first dose immediately. Get your second dose 28 days after the first.
*Acceptable evidence of immunity to measles includes at least one of the following:
Documented proof of appropriate vaccination; Clinical evidence of immunity; Clinical confirmation of measles; Birth in the United States before 1957
After traveling abroad
Please take care of your health for three weeks after returning home. Measles is highly contagious and can be spread to others through coughing and sneezing.
Call your doctor immediately if:
If you or your child become ill with a rash or fever, tell your doctor that you have traveled internationally and whether you have had the MMR vaccine.
When one person has measles, 9 out of 10 people around that person will also become infected if they do not take precautions. Infected people can spread measles to others from 4 days before the rash appears to 4 days after the rash appears. Measles symptoms usually include a high fever (which can exceed 104° F), cough, runny nose (coryza), red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis or pink eye), and a rash (3 to 5 days after symptoms begin).
Countries where measles is present
Measles remains a common disease in many parts of the world, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. An estimated 128,000 people die from measles each year. In recent years, many countries and popular travel destinations have experienced measles outbreaks. These include the UK, Israel, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Ukraine, and the Philippines.
Before your next trip:
Measles outbreak in the United States due to international travel
In the United States, measles cases arise from international travel.
The disease is brought to the United States by unvaccinated people who have been infected in other countries. Typically, two out of three unvaccinated travelers are Americans. They can spread measles to others who are not taking precautions against it, which can lead to an outbreak.
Because measles remains common in many countries, unvaccinated travelers can bring and spread measles to the U.S. Protect yourself, your family, and your community by getting the MMR vaccine, especially before traveling internationally.
