SFDPH Health Advisory: Measles – Consider measles in patients with fever and a rash April 8, 2014 Physician Resource, Public Health, SF Dept of Public Health health alert, measles, SFDPH health advisory 0 California is currently seeing increased cases of this highly infectious viral illness. Between January 1, 2014 and March 28, 2014, 49 cases of measles were reported to the California Department of Public Health, as compared with only 4 cases during the same period in 2013. As of April 4, San Francisco has had no confirmed 2014 measles cases, though recent cases have occurred in several Bay Area counties. The majority of the 2014 cases have occurred among returning international travelers and their contacts; the majority have also occurred in unvaccinated individuals. A current measles outbreak in the Philippines has led to imported cases, but measles is currently circulating in many countries outside of North and South America. What San Francisco clinicians should do Suspect measles in a patient with a fever and a blotchy, maculopapular rash. Ask about immunization history and recent international travel or contact with travelers. If measles is suspected, implement airborne precautions immediately, including masking and isolating the patient. Report suspected measles cases immediately to San Francisco Department of Public Health’s Communicable Disease Control Unit (CDCU) at (415) 554-2830. CDCU can provide advice concerning specimen collection, expedited testing, infection control, and isolation. In addition, CDCU will undertake a contact investigation to identify and inform potentially exposed individuals. Review and document measles immunity for all office staff. SFDPH recommends vaccination of susceptible staff. Vaccinate susceptible patients, especially those at increased risk for measles, including health care workers, international travelers, women of childbearing age, and students in college or trade school. Although the MMR vaccine is routinely given at 12 months and 4-6 years of age, infants traveling to countries where measles is circulating can be vaccinated as early as 6 months of age. For more information, go to sfcdcp.org/healthalerts.html. Comments are closed.
