Health authorities are sounding the alarm bells as a dramatic spike in measles cases worldwide poses risks for international travelers, especially unvaccinated infants and children. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a stern advisory, urging doctors to vaccinate babies as young as 6 months if their families plan to visit measles-affected countries.

The CDC’s warning comes ahead of the busy spring and summer travel season, with destinations like Austria, the Philippines, Romania, and the United Kingdom grappling with measles outbreaks. The highly contagious virus can linger in the air for up to two hours and spread through respiratory droplets, putting unvaccinated individuals at grave risk.

“The overwhelming scientific evidence shows that vaccines remain among the most effective and safest interventions to both prevent individual illness and protect the health of the public,” said Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, president of the American Medical Association.

Typically, infants receive their first measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) shot at 12 months. However, the CDC now recommends advancing the timeline by several months for babies traveling abroad, as they have no immunity against this potentially deadly virus.

The resurgence of measles is alarming, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting a staggering 18% global increase in cases last year, reaching approximately 9 million. Tragically, measles deaths spiked by 43%, claiming around 136,000 lives, primarily among vulnerable populations like young children and those with compromised immune systems.

Experts attribute this surge partly to declining childhood vaccination rates, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted routine immunization programs worldwide. Over 61 million doses of measles-containing vaccines were missed during the pandemic, creating fertile ground for outbreaks.

While the U.S. has officially eliminated endemic measles, imported cases continue to occur annually, with 58 cases already reported in 17 jurisdictions this year, matching the total for 2023. Local transmission has occurred in several states, including Chicago, California, Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

Health officials emphasize the urgency of getting vaccinated, as measles can lead to severe complications like pneumonia and even death. Travelers, especially those with uncertain vaccination status, are advised to consult their healthcare providers at least six weeks before their trip to ensure adequate time for full immunization.

As the world reopens for travel, the measles resurgence serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination in safeguarding public health and preventing preventable diseases from gaining a foothold.