Measles vaccine recommended for those attending World Cup
Measles is a highly infectious -- and potentially fatal -- viral illness that is typically spread by breathing or coughing.
Waning levels of vaccine coverage in recent years have led to outbreaks across parts of Europe, including Russia, according to Robb Butler, program manager for vaccine-preventable diseases at the World Health Organization's Regional Office for Europe.
"Over the last decade, we've certainly seen a resurgence of vaccine preventable diseases in the European region, and measles is one of them," Butler said. "In 2017, we had a fourfold increase (in measles), and that seems to be continuing into 2018."
In 2017, over 20,000 people across Europe were infected with the virus, resulting in at least 35 deaths. Among the hardest-hit nations were Ukraine and Romania. Romania reported over 5,000 cases in 2017, according to Butler.
Russia has also been heavily affected by the recent outbreak, with more than 800 cases reported in 2018. There have been no measles-related deaths reported there this year, according to Butler.
"We do have measles circulating in the Russian Federation at the moment," Butler said. "And that really stresses the importance of vulnerability and the risk that everybody runs if they do not check their status and get vaccinated."
Children and adults who are traveling to Russia for the World Cup -- which takes place between June 14 and July 15 -- should therefore make sure that they have received two doses of the measles vaccine, he said.
"At the World Cup, we have countries that are endemic to measles and many countries that have recently had large-scale outbreaks, such as Germany and Brazil. So it's very important that individuals check their status before they travel," he said.
Symptoms of measles include a runny nose, high fever, eye inflammation and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Complications such as blindness, brain inflammation and even death can occur in approximately 30% of cases, according to WHO.
"We do have measles circulating in the Russian Federation at the moment," Butler said. "And that really stresses the importance of vulnerability and the risk that everybody runs if they do not check their status and get vaccinated."
Children and adults who are traveling to Russia for the World Cup -- which takes place between June 14 and July 15 -- should therefore make sure that they have received two doses of the measles vaccine, he said.
"At the World Cup, we have countries that are endemic to measles and many countries that have recently had large-scale outbreaks, such as Germany and Brazil. So it's very important that individuals check their status before they travel," he said.
Symptoms of measles include a runny nose, high fever, eye inflammation and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Complications such as blindness, brain inflammation and even death can occur in approximately 30% of cases, according to WHO.
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