The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently sent an alert to health care providers on measles prevention and treatment. The agency said that risk remains low for most individuals across the U.S. and that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is the best way to protect against the disease.
If you suspect your patient has measles or was exposed to measles:
- Isolate your patient with suspected measles immediately, ideally in a single-patient airborne infection isolation room (AIIR), or in a private room with a closed door until an AIIR is available. Patients with measles should call ahead so healthcare facilities can limit additional exposures, including offering measles triaging and testing outside the facility.
- Immediately notify public health: 24-hour Epi On Call contact list. Health departments will provide guidance on testing, isolating, and managing patients with suspected measles and people exposed to measles. People exposed to measles who do not have evidence of immunity may be eligible for post-exposure prophylaxis either with MMR vaccine (within 72 hours of exposure) or immunoglobulin (within 6 days of exposure).
- Collect samples, either a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab or throat (OP) swab for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing, as well as a blood specimen for serology testing. Collecting a urine specimen along with an NP/OP swab may improve sensitivity of testing.
- Manage patients with supportive care. There is no specific antiviral therapy for measles. Medical care is supportive to help relieve symptoms. Complications, such as pneumonia and other infections, should be appropriately tested and treated. Vitamin A may be administered to patients with confirmed measles under the supervision of a healthcare provider. Overuse of vitamin A can lead to toxicity and cause damage to the liver, bones, central nervous system, and skin. Pregnant women should avoid taking high levels of vitamin A as it has been linked to severe birth defects.
CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) health advisory about this expanding measles outbreak on March 7, 2025. For more information about this outbreak including guidance about the upcoming travel season, you can review the health advisory here.
