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Measles in Spain

24 October 2011

Madrid in central Spain has reported a significant increase in measles cases in 2011. To date, 399 cases have been notified, of which 360 have been laboratory confirmed as measles virus. This compares with 31 confirmed cases in 2010, which makes Madrid one of the communities with the highest increase (12-fold) in Spain. The average increase in Spain for 2011 compared with 2010, is 6-fold.

In response to this increase in measles cases, the health authorities have (from 1 June) reduced the age of the first MMR to 12 months rather than 15 months-of-age.

Advice for 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.