Health Ministry issues travel warning following measles outbreak in 4 countries

The Ministry of Health has issued a travel warning to all persons interested in travelling to four specific countries which are currently experiencing a measles outbreak.

In a September 4 media release, the Ministry of Health listed Israel, the Philippines, Ukraine and São Paulo in Brazil as countries where cases of the highly infectious disease have been reported.

Notably, a considerable percentage of the territory’s expatriate population is from the Philippines in Southeast Asia.

The ministry is recommending all persons who may have to travel to any of the listed countries to seek vaccination before leaving the British Virgin Islands.

“Persons are reminded the best way to protect themselves and their loved ones are to ensure that they are administered both doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) vaccine. They are also advised to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before their departure date,” the ministry stated.

“If their trip is less than two weeks away and they are not protected against measles, they are advised to get vaccinated,” it further said.

Persons who are unsure whether they are fully protected from the virus should seek professional medical assistance to confirm.

Back in May, Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health Dr Irad Potter said the territory’s vaccination coverage rate was at more than 95 percent.

He also noted that while it will be “very difficult” to control diseases at the territory’s borders, a number of protocols exist within the cruise and airline industries which acts as a safeguard from diseases and viruses entering the territory.