Measles
Information for Health Care Providers
- DOHMH Health Alert # 24: Measles in New York City (PDF)
- CDC Health Advisory: High Number of Measles Cases in the U.S. in 2011- Linked to Outbreaks Abroad (PDF)
- DOHMH Health Alert #9 - Increase in Measles Cases and Hospital Exposures (PDF)
- DOHMH Health Alert #6 - Measles in New York City (PDF)
- STOP Triage Poster (PDF)
- Instructions for Home Isolation (PDF)
- CDC measles outbreak
- CDC Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that causes fever and a rash. The last nation-wide epidemic occurred from 1989 through 1991; over 55,000 measles cases and 123 deaths were reported in the United States during this period. Measles continues to be endemic in most of the world. United States residents who travel overseas without being vaccinated risk becoming sick with measles after they return. In the U.S., a higher number of measles cases have been reported as of May, 2011 as compaerd to last year, including 111 cases and 9 outbreaks. Most cases reported in the U.S. were associated with international travel.
Who gets measles?
Anyone who is not vaccinated can get measles at any age. Most measles cases in the United States are associated with foreign travel.More than 20 million cases of measles occur worldwide each year including in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
How is measles spread?
Spread by contact with an infected person, through coughing and sneezing.The disease is highly contagious, and can be transmitted from 4 days prior to the onset of the rash to 4 days after the onset. If one person has it, 90% of their susceptible close contacts will also become infected with the measles virus.
The virus resides in the mucus in the nose and throat of the infected person. When that person sneezes or coughs, droplets spray into the air. The infected mucus can land in other people’s noses or throats when they breathe or put their fingers in their mouth or nose after handling an infected surface. The virus remains active and contagious on infected surfaces for up to 2 hours. Measles spreads so easily that anyone who is not immunized will probably get it, eventually
What are the symptoms of measles?
Early symptoms include fever, which can reach 103-105 degrees F, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. About 2-4 days later, a rash of red spots develops on the face and then spreads over the entire body. Little white spots, called Koplik spots, may appear on the gums and inside of the cheeks.
