The outbreak includes 5 confirmed cases (positive laboratory test results) and 20 suspected cases of measles, most of whom are young adults working at the winter sports resort. Of these cases, 4 have been hospitalized but do not have severe forms of the disease.In addition, Scottish and Belgian health authorities have reported 2 suspected cases of measles among residents of their countries returning from Méribel and Val Thorens, respectively.The Val Thorens ski resort is very busy, particularly since the start of the French school holidays on February 9, and welcomes many foreign nationals, especially Dutch, British, and Scandinavian visitors. These conditions may contribute to the emergence of new measles cases in the coming weeks as well as the spread to other French regions or foreign countries.

In this specific situation and to stop the spread of the virus, it is recommended that anyone born since 1980 update their vaccination status with two doses of the MMR vaccine. For people who have been in contact with a case, vaccination—if administered within 72 hours of the first potentially infectious contact with a case—can prevent the onset of the disease.

Measles is a notifiable disease. For further information on measles, consult the thematic dossier from Santé publique France.

For any questions regarding how to respond to a case, see the Ministry of Health’s guidance dated September 28, 2018.

For any questions regarding measles vaccination, consult the Vaccination Info Service website.

* Reminder of techniques for confirming a measles case (information available on the website of the National Measles Reference Center in Caen, CNR):- Blood sample for antibody testing (IgM serology), the most accessible technique, but results may be negative on the day of or the day after the rash appears. - Nasopharyngeal, urine, or blood samples (for hospitalized cases, PCR testing to detect the virus (viral RNA)).- Saliva sample. Allows for the detection of viral RNA (PCR and virus typing) or the detection of antibodies (IgG/IgM). Sample collection kits are available from the DT/ARS (to be sent to the CNR at room temperature via standard mail. Free of charge for the patient).