Travelers to Serbia warned on measles epidemics

BELGRADE, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States on Saturday warned on the ongoing outbreak of measles in Serbia, recommending travelers to check their vaccinations and avoid contact with sick people.

Previously, Serbia's institute for public health announced that there are 1,114 reported cases of measles.

"Measles is a disease caused by a virus that is spread through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing," CDC wrote in the release published on their website that was republished by the U.S. State Department.

"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," it said.

CDC recommends that travelers to Serbia protect themselves by making sure they are vaccinated against measles with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.

Before departure, 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," the release continues.

The outbreak of measles was reported in Serbia in the past three and half months. Since last October, local authorities started conducting an intensive vaccination of all vaccinated and non-vaccinated children from 1 to 14 years of age. Enditem