London Calling – Communicable Diseases Too!

              If you’re planning to attend the Summer Olympic Games in London, feel free to bring home lots of tea and British souvenirs. But please, skip the communicable diseases.

            People from around the globe will meet in London for the Games of the XXX Olympiad beginning on July 27. In addition to bringing their enthusiasm for the competition, many undoubtedly will bring along communicable diseases.

            “The spread of communicable disease is something that can happen whenever people gather from around the world,” said    Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour. “This year’s Super Bowl was the source of a measles outbreak in Indianapolis where 13 cases were traced back to exposure at the game.”

            Dr. Pour advises any London travelers to check your vaccination status before leaving for the Olympics and make sure your children are up-to-date if they are going with you.

·         Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): Two doses of MMR vaccine are recommended for all international travelers 12 months or older, and infants 6 through 11 months of age should get one dose before traveling outside the United States. Anyone born before 1957 is probably immune to measles, but those born after that date most likely will need to rely on vaccination for their immunity.

·         Pertussis (whooping cough): Immunity to pertussis (whooping cough) is not permanent. It is recommended that adults and teenagers receive a booster dose of pertussis-containing vaccine in addition to the childhood series. Make sure you and your children are current on this before you travel to the Olympics.

·         Other vaccines and information: Check the CDC Traveler’s Health website at www.cdc.gov/travel/ for more information on how to protect yourself or to see if you need additional vaccines

            “Your primary health care provider or a pharmacy that provides vaccinations should be able to take care of your medical travel needs,” Dr. Pour said. “There also are clinics that specialize in travel medicine.”

            A list of travel clinic providers in Douglas County is available at the CDC traveler’s health website and search by location at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/find-clinic.htm. Clinics that provide yellow fever vaccinations also will offer other travel advice. A list of those clinics can be found at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellow-fever-vaccination-clinics/state/nebraska.htm.