The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an updated warning regarding the risk of contracting measles while traveling, following the identification of numerous cases this year in travelers who were contagious with the virus while flying on airplanes within the United States.
In an update published on Wednesday, the CDC stated that “Travelers can catch measles in many travel settings including travel hubs like airports and train stations, on public transportation like airplanes and trains, at tourist attractions, and at large, crowded events.”
According to a statement from a CDC spokesperson to CBS News, the agency has received at least 62 reports since the beginning of the year of travelers who were contagious with the highly transmissible measles virus while flying into or within the U.S.
After investigating 50 of these cases, the CDC confirmed that measles spread during air travel in at least one instance, typically determined by identifying confirmed cases among airline passengers seated near each other.
Numerous public alerts have also been issued in recent months regarding potential exposure risks in airports involving contagious travelers. The CDC spokesperson noted that “Exposures at the airport itself are more difficult to track, and state, local, and territorial health departments lead these investigations.”
In its latest update, the CDC removed its list of countries with a “high incidence” of measles. Instead, the agency is now advising that the virus poses “an ongoing risk around the world, and more international travelers are getting infected.”
This year has seen a significant surge in measles cases within the U.S., with health authorities in neighboring Mexico and Canada also reporting substantial outbreaks.
The CDC has also strengthened its travel recommendations. Previously, the agency suggested that unvaccinated Americans “consider making alternative travel plans” before departing. The updated guidance now advises travelers to “consider postponing their trip” if they are not fully vaccinated.
The CDC recommends that all travelers be fully vaccinated against measles before traveling to any international destination. The agency recently updated its guidance to healthcare providers, advising additional measles vaccinations for certain domestic travelers as well.
These changes come as the CDC’s data indicates a concerning acceleration in the number of reported measles cases. As of Friday, at least 1,088 cases of measles have been reported this year, with Iowa and Nebraska being the latest states to confirm their first cases. Approximately 90% of these confirmed cases are linked to outbreaks within the U.S., rather than to travel outside the country.
Preliminary data from the CDC also shows that the tally of cases, backdated by the onset of symptoms, has increased for the second consecutive week after a decline from a peak in late March, which coincided with the height of an outbreak in Texas and surrounding states.
While federal health officials have indicated that the Southwest outbreak appears to be slowing, they are cautioning about the potential for renewed spread due to increased travel. Dr. Manisha Patel, the CDC’s chief medical officer for the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, highlighted in a webinar on May 15 that “This outbreak does appear to be leveling off, but the affected states remain hypervigilant, and that’s because it’s travel season.”
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