MEASLES AND SOCCER WORLD CUP—22 TO 40 YEAR OLDS AT GREATEST RISK

MEASLES AND SOCCER WORLD CUP—22 TO 40 YEAR OLDS AT GREATEST RISK
Monday, 22 May, 2006

Australia’s leading provider of travel health vaccinations and services, The Travel Doctor-TMVC, today backed calls for Socceroos’ fans to check they are vaccinated against measles—especially fans born between 1966 and 1984.

Dr Tony Gherardin, senior medical adviser with The Travel Doctor-TMVC, said people between the ages of 22 and 40 years traveling to the World Cup were at greatest risk from the measles epidemic sweeping Germany.

‘This group of young adults may not have completed the course of vaccinations required for immunity because public health campaigns came in at staggered times between 1966 and 1984,’ Dr Gherardin said.

‘And, while measles is often a relatively mild disease in children, it can be very severe in adults with an increased risk of complications like pneumonia or encephalitis.’

The reported number of measles cases linked to the current outbreak in Germany has risen to over 1000. About 15% of these people have required hospital admission.

For those not covered, all that’s required is a single vaccination. The vaccine is safe with low or no side effects and is effective within a couple of days.

Public health authorities in Europe have been warning populations about the risk and encouraging people to seek proper medical advice before traveling to the World Cup.

‘Pre-travel advice and vaccination is rarely sought for travel to a highly developed country like Germany,’ Dr Gherardin said.

‘But here is a critical example of how important it is to get expert travel health advice before traveling—even to countries perceived to be safe.’