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The United States is experiencing a measles outbreak, with several states reporting cases in recent weeks. Between December 1, 2023, and January 23, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was notified of 23 confirmed cases, including seven direct importations by international travelers and two outbreaks with more than five cases each. Most of these cases were among children and adolescents who had not received a measles-containing vaccine, even if age-eligible.
State-Specific Outbreaks
Pennsylvania: Nearly a dozen cases have been reported, with a significant outbreak linked to a children’s hospital in Philadelphia. A person contracted the virus outside the United States and exposed a parent and child at the hospital, leading to an outbreak at a Philadelphia day care that includes at least five children.
Virginia: Health officials are warning of potential exposure to the virus for people who recently traveled out of two D.C.-area airports Dulles International Airport on January 3 and Reagan Washington National Airport on January 4th after someone returning to the US from abroad traveled through Northern Virginia.
Georgia: A single case has been confirmed in an unvaccinated resident of the metro Atlanta area.
Contributing Factors
International travel and declining global vaccination rates are believed to be contributing to the resurgence of measles cases in the US. The CDC emphasizes that measles cases often originate from unvaccinated or undervaccinated US residents who travel internationally and then transmit the disease to people who are not vaccinated against measles​​.
Preventive Measures
The CDC recommends the following measures for healthcare providers:
Isolate suspected cases immediately to prevent the spread in healthcare settings.
Notify local or state health departments about any suspected case of measles for rapid testing and investigation.
Test all patients with clinical features compatible with measles using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and serology.
Provide appropriate measles post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to close contacts without evidence of immunity, either with the MMR vaccine or immunoglobulin.
Ensure all patients are up-to-date on the measles vaccine, especially before international travel.
The current measles outbreak in the US is a reminder of the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Healthcare providers and the public must remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to control the outbreak and protect vulnerable populations.