Increasing number of measles reported overseas
Posted June 15, 2014 12:37 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A lot of people will be in airports, train stations, and bus terminals as they travel the globe this summer.
While you worry about losing things, like your wallet or passport, one doctor has a warning about what you could pick up.
There have been a high number of measles cases in the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Dr. Vivien Brown, with Immunize Canada, says because the virus spreads easily in the air, measles are highly contagious. “When people are traveling, a disease in China can be in Canada within 10-15 days.”
Brown says it’s really important to make sure your immunization is up-to-date before you go away.
She says you need two measles shots, but if you are not sure you have been immunized, you can do a blood test to check.
There were over 420 measles cases reported in the Fraser Health region this year.
