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The Department of Health is monitoring an increase in the number of measles cases in the Americas and has offered appropriate health advice to travellers and members of the public.
"The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend for member states to strengthen surveillance activities and take appropriate measures to protect residents against measles," a spokesman for the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health said today (February 11).
According to figures of the PAHO of the WHO, a total of 121 measles cases have been reported in the Unites States from January 1 to February 6. Most of these cases (103 cases) are part of a large, ongoing multi-state outbreak linked to an amusement park in California. For cases with ages reported, the ages of case patients range from less than 12 months to 59 years old (the median age is 19 years old).
Canada is currently investigating two separate measles outbreaks: eight suspected cases were reported in Quebec province on February 3 and four laboratory confirmed cases were identified in Ontario province on February 2.
In Brazil between 2013 and 2015, a total of 971 confirmed measles cases were reported. The most affected groups were children under 5 years old (37.1 per cent), followed by adolescents and adults aged 15 to 29 years old (33.2 per cent).
The spokesman explained that measles infection is a highly infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It can be transmitted by airborne droplet spread or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons, and, less commonly, by articles soiled with nose and throat secretions. A patient can pass the disease to other persons from four days before to four days after the appearance of skin rash.
"Immunisation against measles is the most effective way to prevent the disease. Non-immune individuals are advised to consult their doctors about measles vaccination, which is usually given together with mumps and rubella vaccines," the spokesman said.
In Hong Kong, children are given the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at 1 year old, followed by a second dose at Primary One under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme. The coverage of MMR vaccination in Hong Kong is over 95 per cent at Primary One.
Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:
* Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene;
* Maintain good indoor ventilation;
* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly;
* Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
* Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly;
* Clean used toys and furniture properly; and
* Children with measles should be kept out of school till four days from the appearance of rash to prevent spread of the infection to non-immune persons in school.
Members of the public should consult doctors promptly if they develop symptoms of measles. Affected persons should avoid contact with non-immune persons, especially those with weakened immunity, pregnant women and infants.
For more information on measles, the public may call the 24-hour health education hotline 2833 0111 or visit the CHP's measles page (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/24/31.html). They can also visit the Travel Health Service's website (www.travelhealth.gov.hk/eindex.html) for the latest travel health advice.
Ends/Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Issued at HKT 22:13
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