Measles in Europe, January and February 2019

On 8 February 2019, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that measles continues to be transmitted across Europe this year.

Young people, healthcare workers and those who are not fully vaccinated remain at highest risk of measles.

Within the European Union

Austria: there have been at least eight cases from 01 January to 23 January 2019.

Czech Republic: during January 2019, there were 23 cases in Prague and 10 cases in Moravia- Silesia.

Denmark: one case has been reported between 01 January and 04 February 2019.

Finland: three cases have been reported between 01 January and 04 February 2019.

Germany: 23 cases have been reported from 01 January to 13 January 2019.

Hungary: three cases have been reported from 01 January to 27 January 2019.

Lithuania: there have been 14 cases from 01 January to 01 February 2019.

Poland: an outbreak of measles involving 7 healthcare workers in a hospital in Szczecin was reported on 16 January 2019.

Portugal: media reports state that there have been 37 cases between November 2018 and 31 January 2019 in Lisbon, the Tagus Valley and Madeira.

Romania: there have been 133 cases (including one death) between 01 January and 01 February 2019.

Slovakia: there have been 141 cases in an outbreak in Trebišov from September 2018 to 22 January 2019. There has been one additional case in Bratislava this year.

Spain: there have been six cases from 01 to 27 January 2019.

Switzerland: there have been six cases from 01 to 29 January 2019.

Countries outside the European Union /European Free Trade Agreement

Georgia: there have been 321 cases reported from 01 to 17 January 2019.

Russia: outbreaks have been reported in Moscow, Vladimir Oblast, St. Petersburg and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug in 2019.

Serbia: there have been 5 784 cases (including 15 deaths) from October 2017 to 1 February 2019, including cases reported from Kosovo.

Ukraine: there have been 15 095 cases (including one death) from 01 January to 01 February 2019.

Advice for Healthcare Professionals

Travel may increase an individual’s risk of exposure to measles virus, and facilitate the spread of disease to unvaccinated and susceptible populations. The travel consultation provides healthcare practitioners with a valuable opportunity to ensure individuals are protected against the measles virus. Consider vaccinating:

• All travellers who have not previously had two doses of a measles containing vaccine or prior measles infection.
• Particularly children and those who will be living or working closely with the local population at their destination, in countries with high endemnicity or recent outbreaks.

Charging for Measles Containing Vaccine:

• In Scotland, GP practices may charge for the administration of MMR vaccine if the traveller does not fall into one of the groups that can receive free vaccine and it is solely being given for the purposes of travel, but have discretion not to charge.
• In England, GPs will be reimbursed for administering one or two doses of MMR vaccine as required to all unvaccinated patients aged 16 and over who present to the GP surgery requesting vaccination.
• Further explanantion on charging arrangements can be found here Vaccine Charges FAQ

Advice for Travellers

It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-13 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 4 months. Consider vaccinating all unimmunised adults who have not had the disease themselves, particularly if they are going to be at higher risk. Two doses of MMR vaccine, at least one month apart, are required to give adequate protection.

For further information see Measles