The WHO has issued travel warnings after an outbreak of a ‘highly contagious’ air-borne virus hit the US – the WHO has called for those in outbreak areas to follow local public health guidance

The WHO has issued travel advice after an air-borne virus outbreak in the US(Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)
The World Health Organisation has issued travel warnings due to the outbreak of an air-borne virus in the United States.

The highly contagious disease, measles, remains the one of the leading causes of death among young children globally. The WHO noted the airborne virus can be spread via droplets from the nose, mouth, or throat of infected persons.
In the US there have been 420 confirmed cases of measles this year alone. This number already surpasses the number of measles cases in the US recorded in 2024. Most of these cases have been recorded in West Texas, however, the growing outbreak has spread into neighbouring states.

Severe cases of the disease can result in death(Image: Getty Images)
Computational epidemiologist at Boston, Benjamin Rader, has raised concern the majority of the cases have been seen in unvaccinated people or people with unknown vaccination status. Rader noted: “We are experiencing an extremely concerning decline in measles vaccination in the very group most vulnerable to the disease.” He added: “The worry is that once measles gains a foothold in the community, it’ll transition from isolated outbreaks to an endemic disease.”
Symptoms of the virus include high fever, runny nose, bloodshot eyes, cough and also small white spots developing inside the mouth. Alongside these symptoms those infected can develop a rash which usually appears 10-14 days after exposure.

Severe cases of the disease can lead to pneumonia, diarrhoea, secondary ear infection, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), blindness and even death. There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles, however, most people recover within two to three weeks.

There is worry measles could transition to an endemic disease(Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Rader added: “The worry is that once measles gains a foothold in the community, it’ll transition from isolated outbreaks to an endemic disease.”

The WHO urges international travellers to check and keep their vaccination status updated against measles prior to departure. The organisation specifically highlights this guidance includes individuals planning travelling to the United States. The WHO has also called for those living in the outbreak areas within the United States of America to follow local public health guidance.

In a statement released by the WHO the organisation urged: “WHO recommends providing broad access to measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination to maintain high vaccination rates of the general population and to ensure individuals at high risk of exposure are up-to-date on this vaccination, such as health and care personnel and international travellers.”

The WHO has called for those living in the outbreak areas should follow local public health guidance(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The organisation also called for: “Unvaccinated individuals from areas in the United States experiencing measles outbreaks, with knowledge of exposure to measles cases and/or presenting signs and symptoms compatible with measles virus infection, should consult local health authorities before undertaking an international voyage.”

The statement added: “At present, no additional measures that significantly interfere with international traffic are warranted.”

The WHO is unequivocal in its support for vaccination against the virus to stop its spread and noted: “Immunization against measles prevents measles and its complications.”