health

Measles cases in the U.S. highest in 15 years

There were 118 infections between Jan. 1 and May 20, the most to occur during that period since 1996.

By Christine S. Moyer — Posted June 6, 2011

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

Due to an uptick in measles cases in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging physicians to be vigilant about identifying the illness in their patients.

Doctors should consider the respiratory disease as a diagnosis in patients who have a febrile rash illness, a cough, coryza or conjunctivitis, said Greg Wallace, MD, MPH, lead of the CDC's Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Polio Team. He recommends that physicians isolate such patients to prevent transmission of the virus, notify public health departments of a possible measles case and test the individual.

"Measles is probably the most contagious of the vaccine-preventable diseases," Dr. Wallace said. "The rates of complications and deaths have been low [in the U.S.] ... but if the virus gets into one of those communities [where people are not vaccinated against the disease] it can spread."

There were 118 reported cases of measles from Jan. 1 through May 20, according to the May 27 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. That is the greatest number of cases to occur during a similar period since 1996. In that year, there were 301 cases reported from Jan. 1 through May 31.

Eighty-nine percent of the cases this year stemmed from infections acquired outside the U.S. in places such as Europe and Southeast Asia, where measles is prevalent, the CDC said. The source of the remaining cases could not be identified, but experts think those cases also were related to diseases contracted abroad.

"From a U.S. standpoint, it's certainly concerning. It's a warning sign of how easily measles can return," Dr. Wallace said.

Impact of vaccine

Before the measles vaccine was licensed in 1963, about 48,000 Americans were hospitalized due to the disease each year, and as many as 500 died, the CDC said.

The MMWR report found that of the 118 measles cases reported so far this year, 47 people were hospitalized, and there were no deaths. Measles cases were reported in 23 states.

The largest outbreak occurred in Minnesota, where 23 cases were reported as of April 27, according to the state's Dept. of Health. A majority of the people infected nationwide were not immunized against the disease, the CDC said.

The CDC recommends that physicians administer the first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to children age 12 to 15 months. The second dose should be given when a child is between age 4 and 6. Doctors can, however, administer the immunization to children as young as six months who are going to travel to countries where measles is prevalent.

For adults with no evidence of measles immunity, one dose of MMR vaccine is recommended. If adults are in a high-risk group, which includes health care personnel, they should receive two doses.

Back to top


External links

"Measles -- United States, January-May 20, 2011," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 27 (link)

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn