Health Alert
Measles in Italy
Updated January 17, 2018What is the current situation?
Health officials in Italy have reported an outbreak of measles.
Measles is caused by a virus that is spread through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. Measles virus is highly contagious and can remain so for up to 2 hours in the air or on surfaces. Symptoms of measles are rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Some people may suffer severe complications from measles, including pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain).
CDC recommends that travelers to Italy themselves by making sure they are vaccinated against measles with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. Before departure from the United States, infants (6 through 11 months of age) should have 1 dose of MMR vaccine, and adults and children over 1 year of age should have 2 doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.
Clinicians should keep measles in mind when treating patients with fever and rash, especially if the patient has recently traveled internationally.
What can travelers do to protect themselves?
Get measles vaccine or make sure you have already been vaccinated.
Avoid contact with people who are sick.
Learn more about preventing measles and what to do if you think you have it on the measles page for travelers.
Traveler Information
Measles Webpage for Travelers
CDC Measles Homepage
MMR Vaccine Information Statement
MMRV Vaccine Information Statement
Clinician Information
Measles (Rubeola) in CDC’s Yellow Book
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Recommendations for MMR vaccine and MMRV vaccine
Measles Information for Healthcare Professionals
Page created: April 17, 2017
Page last updated: January 12, 2018
Page last reviewed: January 12, 2018
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)
Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ)