Measles

Measles Clinicians should suspect measles in persons who have a febrile illness with rash, especially if they lack documentation of measles vaccination, have recently traveled overseas, or are part of a community with low vaccine acceptance. Clinical specimens (e.g., serum and nasopharyngeal swab) for laboratory confirmation should be obtained from all patients suspected to have measles at their first contact with a health care provider. All suspected cases of measles should be reported immediately to the local or state health department without waiting for diagnostic test results. U.S. travelers to other countries account for a high proportion of imported cases of measles, which emphasizes the importance of measles vaccination of U.S. residents who are 6 months of age or older before international travel. Serious adverse events after measles-mumps-rubella vaccination are rare and much less common than those associated with natural measles infection. Clinicians play a critical role in managing parental concerns about vaccination and in maintaining trust in vaccines. Clinicians should suspect measles in persons with a febrile rash illness, especially if they lack documentation of vaccination, have recently traveled overseas, or are part of a community with low vaccine acceptance. Measles vaccination is highly effective; adverse events are rare and much less common than with natural infection.