CDC Alert: Measles Outbreak

This year in the United States, more than 500 cases of measles have been confirmed. This is the second highest number of cases since measles was eradicated in the United States in 2000. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued an alert regarding the opportunity for the disease to spread during the Passover holiday (Apr. 19-27, 2019) due to increased international travel.

Although measles cases have been identified in 20 different states, there is a saturation of cases in New York City and New York State. A majority of cases are among unvaccinated people in Orthodox Jewish communities and travelers from Israel. Locations with a projected influx of international travel include New York, New Jersey, Florida, Las Vegas, Arizona, and Washington, D.C. Patients who may be exposed during this holiday may develop symptoms between late April and mid-May.

Providers are requested to be very observant and help protect patients by:

• Ensuring all patients are up to date on the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine
• Encourage parents to keep children on schedule for the MMR vaccine
• Asking patients about any recent international travel
• Encouraging patients six months and older to be protected with the vaccine before leaving on international trips1
• Considering measles in patients presenting with febrile rash illness and clinically compatible measles symptoms (cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis)1
• Isolating patients who may have measles immediately to avoid spread
• Reporting any suspected measles cases to your local health department

For more information, please visit the CDC website at cdc.gov/measles/index.html.

1 Reference: Public Health Foundation: Immunization Partner Network Update. CDC Request for Measles Outbreak Support Newsletter – Apr. 22, 2019.