The measles outbreak in Japan continues this year as the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Tokyo reports 422 cases as of Apr. 24.

Image/MichaelGaida via pixabay

The Government of Japan confirmed a Narita International Airport employee with measles last week may have exposed travelers at Terminal 2 to the disease on 22, 24, and/or 26 April (Mon/Wed/Fri) 2019.

This prompted a public health announcement from US Forces Japan that stated:

Personnel who traveled through Narita International Airport on those dates and HAVE NOT received a Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination, please contact your local Immunization Clinic or your Primary Care Manager for screening and immunization.

Personnel who are CURRENT on their MMR vaccinations are PROTECTED. Adults and children over 4 years should have two MMR shots documented in their immunization records for proper immunization.

If you have any concerns about your vaccination, please contact your local Immunization Clinic or Primary Care Manager.

The measles virus can spread to those who are not protected through the air when someone infected coughs or sneezes. Symptoms start with a fever, followed by a rash of tiny red spots that spread over the body, starting at the head.

If you or anyone in your family has any signs and/or symptoms, or you suspect you may have measles, please cover your cough and sneezes using an infection control face mask and seek medical care through your local medical facility.

Lt. Col. Kenji Takano, an Air Force public health emergency officer at Yokota AB said, “Active-duty troops are supposed to be inoculated; we’re at 99.9 percent in Japan,” he said. “Dependents should be inoculated, but they’re not held to the active-duty standard. This is an opportunity to check your vaccination status.”