CDC: Vaccines prevent millions of illnesses, but measles makes a return

The recent measles outbreaks in New York City and California "remind us how quickly imported cases of measles can spread in communities with large numbers of unvaccinated persons," said Dr. Julia Shaklee Sammons. Because measles is highly contagious, "it is essential that providers maintain a high level of suspicion for measles in returned travelers with febrile rash illness and are able to recognize its clinical features," said Dr. Sammons of the division of infectious diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

When a case of measles is suspected, "early reporting and rapid control efforts are vital to prevent spread in healthcare facilities," with measures that include implementing airborne precautions immediately, she added. Clinicians should talk with their patients about measles vaccination "and remind them what is at stake if imported measles continues to land in communities of unvaccinated persons, especially for those who are too young or ineligible to be vaccinated," Dr. Sammons recommended.

These remarks were taken from an editorial published online April 24 (Ann. Int. Med. 2014 April 24 [doi: 10.7326/M14-0892]). Dr. Sammons had no disclosures.