By Deborah Kotz, Globe Staff
The number of measles cases in the state has remained steady at 17 since May 25, but that's no reason for residents to think that they can be complacent about the outbreaks surging abroad in 33 European countries, India, and Southeast Asia. (France reported 10,000 measles cases through April.)
"We want to get out the message to folks before they travel abroad this summer," says state epidemiologist Dr. Al DeMaria. "Get the MMR vaccine or an antibody test from your doctor to see if you're still immune."DeMaria added that the department is particularly concerned about young children, urging parents to make sure children age 1 and over have the complete set of two MMR immunizations -- which can be given 28 days apart -- before traveling with them to foreign countries. Children ages 6 months to one year can have one dose.
"Even if people aren't traveling to countries with large outbreaks, they may be passing through airports or heading onto flights with people from affected countries," says DeMaria. And measles is extremely contagious; it can be contracted just by being in the vicinity of someone who has it.
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