The nation is currently experiencing a large outbreak of measles, which originated in California but has spread to at least half a dozen other states since December 2014. Though measles is still common in other parts of the world, the virus was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000 — so many healthcare providers practicing today may be unfamiliar with the highly contagious disease.
"More than ever, healthcare providers need to be alert to the possibility of measles and know the signs and symptoms so they can detect cases accurately and early," said Jane Seward, MBBS, a medical epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in a video. "Misdiagnosis can result in delays in implementing critical measures to stop measles from spreading."
Some healthcare organizations are training their front-line providers on how to recognize measles and what to do if a patient presents with possible measles symptoms.
"We don't typically see measles cases, and that's required a fair amount of education of our physicians, nurses [and] emergency departments so they're prepared and know what to look for," Stephen Parodi, MD, director of hospital operations for Kaiser Northern California, told SF Gate.
See the clinical features of measles here from the CDC.
The CDC calls measles "one of the most contagious of all infectious disease," as 90 percent of susceptible persons with close contact to a person with measles will develop the disease themselves. The virus spreads through direct contact with infectious droplets or through the air when a contagious person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The virus can stay on surfaces and in the air for up to two hours.
In a healthcare setting, all staff entering a room with a measles patient "should use respiratory protection consistent with airborne infection control precautions" including the use of a respirator, according to the CDC.
A confirmed lab test is "essential" for all measles cases, according to the CDC. The agency urges healthcare providers to get a serum sample and throat swab from suspected measles cases at first contact. Urine samples can also contain the virus, and workers should collect both respiratory and urine samples when possible. See more information on measles lab tools here.
There is no specific antiviral for measles treatment — medical care for measles patients is supportive to relieve symptoms and address complications.