France – Measles Outbreak

According to the Foreign Office the French authorities have reported an outbreak of measles in parts of France, especially in Lille and close to Bordeaux. 

(Lille hosts a huge open air market each September which attracts a lot of visitors, so check on vaccinations now if you plan to attend).

Those with plans to travel to France are advised to check the Department of Health website for information and the latest updates and advice about the measles outbreak and other matters before travelling.    

Parents should check that their children have had the MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) or contact their GP for advice if unsure.  Adults are also able to get the MMR vaccination if they did not have it as a child. 

If there is not enough time to get the MMR before travelling to France, the Department of Health recommends taking your child see your GP upon return to have the MMR.  Those already in France who suspect their child may have been infected should seek medical attention.  

Symptoms of measles may include

• A rash lasting for at least three days
• Fever which lasts for at least one day
• A head cold, sore eyes, or cough

British nationals should apply for the (free) European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before travelling within the EU.  However, the EHIC should not be used as a substitute for travel insurance as it only covers emergency treatment in a state-run facility.  The EHIC does not cover treatment in a private facility, medical repatriation, ongoing treatment, or many other potentially costly travel mishaps

Make a note of the new EU-wide number for emergency services, which is 112.  Take a minute to programme it into your mobile phone before leaving home. 

We recommend a visit to our Travel Guide to France for more information, and follow the link for the Foreign Office (FCO) for updated and important travel advice.  For example, it is now compulsory in France to carry a reflective jacket and warning triangle in all vehicles.   Read up on the driving rules in France as they are quite strict.  (Speeding can result in huge on-the-spot fines as well as licence and/or vehicle confiscation!)

Note that there is still a possibility of unplanned strikes affecting travel in France, so it is advisable to contact your travel operator before setting off, including ferry operators, Eurostar, etc.  (Our flight back over French airspace on Sunday was delayed due to air-traffic controller strikes).

Flickr cc Image: Dan Finnan (Eiffel Tower, Paris)