Urgent Updates | March 14, 2024

Isolate

Do not allow patients with suspected measles to remain in the waiting room or other common areas of the healthcare facility; isolate patients with suspected measles immediately, ideally in a single-patient airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) if available, or in a private room with a closed door until an AIIR is available.

Precautions

Healthcare providers should be adequately wearing standard and airborne precautions should be followed, including:

◦              Use of a fit tested NIOSH-approved N95 or higher-level respirator.

◦              Use of additional PPE if needed for task (e.g., gloves for blood draws).

◦              Cleaning hands before and after seeing the patient.

◦              Limiting transport or movement of patients.

Notify

Immediately notify local or state health departments about any suspected case of measles to ensure rapid testing and investigation.

Test

Follow CDC’s testing recommendations and collect either a nasopharyngeal swab or throat swab for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), as well as a blood specimen for serology from all patients with clinical features compatible with measles. RT-PCR is available at CDC, at many state public health laboratories, and through the APHL/CDC Vaccine Preventable Disease Reference Centers.

Manage

In coordination with local or state health departments, provide appropriate measles post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to close contacts without evidence of immunity, either MMR or immunoglobulin. The choice of PEP is based on elapsed time from exposure or medical contraindications to vaccination.  

Vaccinate

Make sure all your patients are up-to-date on measles vaccine, especially before international travel. People 6 months of age or older who will be traveling internationally should be protected against measles.