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The measles outbreak in the Dutch Bible Belt of the Netherlands is ongoing and a total of 921 confirmed cases have been recorded (an increase of 141 since last week). A further 21 cases have required admission to hospital for treatment. The number of cases is thought to be a major underestimate as many cases go unreported to family doctors.
Most of those infected are aged between 4-12 years and are from families which refuse vaccinations on religious grounds. The epidemic is expected to continue until the autumn and to be of the same proportions as the last outbreak in 1999-2000, when 3000 cases were reported.
Advice to Travellers
It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-15 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 6 months, while unimmunised adults who have not had the disease themselves may consider vaccination if thought to be at risk. Two doses of MMR vaccine are required to give adequate protection.
