Health
Ariz. hit by measles outbreak
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 21, 2008
A measles outbreak in Arizona prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue a health advisory about the need for a prompt and appropriate response.
The outbreak -- nine confirmed and two suspected cases through March 31 -- was linked to an adult visitor from Switzerland, where there has been a large outbreak. The U.S. cases highlight the ongoing risk of measles importation, the risk of spread in susceptible populations and the need for a prompt and appropriate public health response to such cases, the advisory noted.
Given that people with the disease may come to doctors' offices or emergency departments, and because of the severity of measles, steps are needed to ensure that staff are immunized and infection control practices are followed, the advisory recommended.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/04/21/hlbf0421.htm.
