The Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) has received laboratory confirmation on a case of measles (rubeola).
Guam map Image/CIA
Guam map
Image/CIA

The patient is a 10 month old child without travel history but with an epidemiological link to visitors from Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia to Guam, according to a Pacific News Center report. The DPHSS is advising persons traveling to Pohnpei in July to attend the 8th Micro Games to ensure they have been vaccinated for measles (given in combination with the mumps and rubella vaccines) 2 weeks before departing.

Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel notice for the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) due to a measles outbreak. Measles has been reported in two of the four states in FSM: Kosrae and Pohnpei. As of June 18, 2014, in the state of Kosrae, there have been 158 suspected cases of measles (30 confirmed by testing). In the state of Pohnpei, there have been 47 measles cases reported (9 confirmed by testing).

The CDC says Pohnpei is hosting the eighth Micronesian (Micro) Games July 20–30, 2014, at various sport venues around the island. The Micro Games is an international sporting event and includes participants from the Republic of Palau, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, the Territory of Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Nauru, the Republic of Kiribati, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

CDC recommends that travelers to Micronesia protect themselves by making sure they are vaccinated against measles, including infants 6–11 months of age (1 dose of measles vaccine) and children 12 months of age or older, adolescents, and adults (2 doses of measles vaccine). Clinicians should keep measles in mind when treating patients with fever and rash, especially if the patient has recently traveled internationally. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page