Warning of New Measles Outbreak

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH)released a health advisory in April concerning a potential measles outbreak. As of this writing, nine cases of measles have been reported in California in 2010, which is as many cases in all of 2009. As in recent years, nearly all of the cases are known to have traveled recently to Europe or Asia or have been in contact with international travelers, and some of the cases have been intentionally unvaccinated children.

The CDPH states that the recent cases in California highlight the need for healthcare professionals to be vigilant about measles. To stop the spread of the disease, physicians are asked to consider measles in patients of any age who have a fever and a rash. Fever can spike as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Measles rashes are red, blotchy and maculopapular and typically start on the hairline and face and then spread downward to the rest of the body. In addition, physicians are advised to obtain a thorough health history of such patients, including travel outside of North America or contact with international travelers in the prior three weeks, as well as prior vaccinations for measles. If measles is suspected, the individual should be isolated and the local health department should be alerted. Once diagnosed, specimens of measles should be collected for testing.

For more information about what to do if measles is suspected, visit www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/immunize/Documents/CDPH_MeaslesHealthAdvisory_April 2010.pdf.