Measles Outbreaks Rising Around the Globe

Measles outbreaks are on the rise globally, and it is considered a public health crisis. In the United States, there were 349 confirmed measles cases in 26 states and the District of Columbia in 2018, which is the second largest number since measles was eliminated in the US in 2000.¹

Measles is still common in some countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa. The rise in outbreaks is most likely due to an increase in the amount of travelers infected with measles and unvaccinated individuals in the US, who are spreading the disease.¹New York has seen one of the largest measles outbreaks in decades, which is primarily occurring among unvaccinated people in Orthodox Jewish communities.^1,2The outbreaks were associated with travelers who brought measles back from Israel, where a large outbreak is occurring.²The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has also issued a recent warning regarding an individual infected with measles that visited various locations.³

Measles is an acute viral respiratory illness with symptoms that include high fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis. Two to 3 days after the symptoms begin, tiny white spots known as Koplik spots may appear inside the mouth, which is followed by a characteristic maculopapular rash that spreads from the head to the lower extremities.⁴Complications include pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. Individuals are contagious from 4 days before to 4 days after the rash appears.⁴Measles is highly contagious, and 90% of unvaccinated individuals that come in contact with an infected person on a plane will contract the disease.⁴

Vaccinationwith the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunization is the best way to prevent measles.⁴The CDC recommends a 2-dose series with the first at age 12-15 months, and the second dose at age 4-6 years or at least 28 days after the first dose.⁴One dose is about 93% effective at preventing measles, and 2 doses are approximately 97% effective.⁴

A version of this article was originally published byPharmacy Times. VisitPharmacyTimes.comto view the full article.

References

1. Measles cases in 2018. CDC website.https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html?rel=0" ?rel=0". Published January 10, 2019. Accessed January 15, 2019.
2. Howard J. New York tackles ‘largest measles outbreak’ in state’s recent history as cases spike globally.CNN.https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/08/health/measles-outbreak-ny-bn/index.html?rel=0" ?rel=0".Published January 9, 2019. Accessed January 15, 2019.
3. Health officials identify locations for possible measles exposure [news release]. Los Angeles, CA: County of Los Angeles Public Health; January 11, 2019.http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubhpdetail.cfm?prid=1974&rel=0" &rel=0". Accessed January 15, 2019.
4. Measles (rubeola) clinical features. CDC website.https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/index.html?rel=0" ?rel=0". Published May 8, 2018. Accessed January 15, 2019.