New Warning For Minnesota Travelers As Highly Contagious Disease Spreads

Traveling can be an amazing experience because it provides the opportunity to see different parts of the world and experience new things that aren't possible in Minnesota.

However, traveling can also pose health risks as it can introduce a new microorganism into a new geographic area, or expose a traveler to a new disease their bodies are not prepared to defend against.

This could be a new disease or an existing disease that a traveler hasn't been immunized against. The latter scenario is playing out now, and it's prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to update an important travel warning, and anyone in Minnesota planning a trip needs to be aware and take precautions.

CDC Updates Important Travel Warning

Recently, the CDC updated a travel warning involving the spread of measles. Measles, which has the potential to be serious and even deadly, is an airborne disease that spreads through respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can remain in the air for up to two hours, making it highly contagious.

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The CDC notes that measles was declared eradicated in the United States in 2000. This was achieved through a successful vaccination campaign that resulted in over 95% of the population being immune to measles.

However, measles is now returning in the United States because vaccination rates, especially for the MMR vaccine, have declined, and the disease is easily spread by unvaccinated travelers returning from areas with high measles activity. Lower vaccination rates mean more susceptible individuals, making it easier for the virus to spread, especially as more people travel.

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The CDC reminds travelers that measles is an ongoing risk around the world, and more international travelers are getting infected, catching the disease in various travel settings, including travel hubs like airports and train stations, on public transportation like airplanes and trains, at tourist attractions, and large, crowded events.

Most people who bring measles into the United States are unvaccinated U.S. residents who get infected during international travel. Infected travelers then bring the disease back to their home communities, where it can spread rapidly among people who are not immune.

What All Travelers Should Do To Protect Themselves And Their Communities

International travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks before departure, or have had measles in the past.

The CDC recommends that all travelers be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before traveling to any international destination.

Here are the CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel:

• An early dose for infants 6–11 months old
• A total of two doses at least 28 days apart for anyone 12 months old or older without adequate evidence of immunity. Acceptable evidence of immunity against measles includes written documentation of adequate vaccination, laboratory evidence of immunity, laboratory confirmation of measles, or birth in the United States before 1957.

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