Health

US Centers For Disease Control Points Finger At Switzerland For Measles Outbreak

DOI 24 April 2008

THE TELEGRAPH (UNITED KINGDOM) - The United States Center for Disease Prevention and Control identified Switzerland as one of the main sources of a recent outbreak of measles, which spread across the Atlantic with returning holidaymakers. The outbreak began when a seven-year-old returned from a family vacation in Switzerland on January 15 infected with measles, leading to a further 11 reported cases in San Diego. A European Union-backed surveillance network, EUVAC released, during the week of 14 April 2008, a report that put Switzerland at the top the list of European countries, which possessed significantly more measles cases in the past year. The expected arrival of over five million visitors from around the world for the Euro 2008 football championships in Switzerland heightens growing concerns about the measles threat. The Swiss Federal Health Office issued recommendations that all visitors to Switzerland check their vaccination status and immunize if they have not had the full course of vaccine.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/2008/04/24/euro-2008-football.xml

(Reliability: 7)

Comment: Euro 2008 football championships will take place 7-29 June 2008.