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Measles in Netherlands (Update)

04 Nov 2013

The measles outbreak in the Dutch Bible Belt of the Netherlands is not yet over and a total of 2016 confirmed cases have been recorded. The number of cases is thought to be a major underestimate as many cases go unreported to family doctors.

A total of 121 cases have required admission to hospital for treatment, including 61 with pneumonia as a compliction of measles and one patient with encephalitis as a result of measles. A 17-year-old unvaccinated girl died as a result of measles complications on 26 October 2013.

Advice to Travellers

It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-15 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 6 months, while unimmunised adults who have not had the disease themselves may consider vaccination if thought to be at risk. Two doses of MMR vaccine are required to give adequate protection.