Special Pathogens of Concern Situation Report: March 20, 2024: Measles

On the NETEC Situation Report for March 20, 2024, Dr. Gavin Harris, a NETEC expert & infectious diseases & critical care physician at Emory University, shares 3 things you should know about Measles
1. Since the start of this year, there have been 58 confirmed U.S. measles cases in 17 jurisdictions, including 7 outbreaks, compared to 58 total cases and 4 outbreaks in all of 2023. Ninety-three percent of current cases have been linked to international travel, with most among unvaccinated children aged 12 months and older.
2. Measles is highly contagious, infectious, and hazardous; one infected person can transmit it to 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals. Cases often originate from unvaccinated or under-vaccinated U.S. residents traveling internationally, and while most U.S. communities have high measles immunity, pockets of low vaccination coverage increase outbreak risks. U.S. travelers should have current MMR vaccinations, and healthcare providers should ensure children receive routine MMR immunizations.
3. Health care providers should consider measles in patients with febrile rash illness, especially after recent international travel or exposure to a person with a febrile rash illness. Healthcare workers should adhere to standard and airborne precautions when evaluating suspect cases regardless of vaccination status, and if available, patients should be placed in an airborne infection isolation room. Suspect cases must be promptly reported to local or state health departments and the CDC.
For additional information and to find health care-related resources, visit us on the web at netec.org.