Information for Healthcare Providers

Assessing Suspect Measles Cases 

Consider testing for measles in patients: 

• With fever ≥101 F and a descending rash that starts on the face, plus at least one of the 3 “C’s” (cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis)  
• If the patient has fever and a rash, plus ≥1 “C,” and any epidemiological risk factor below, regardless of measles vaccination history 
  • Epidemiological risk factors in the past 21 days: 
    • Known contact with a measles case or an ill person with fever and a rash 
    • Contact with an international visitor who arrived in the U.S. 
    • Travel outside of the U.S. 
    • Domestic Travel through an international airport 
    • Visited a U.S. venue popular with international visitors such as a large theme park 
    • Lives in or visited a U.S. community where there are measles cases

Isolation of Suspected Cases

• To avoid exposing others, patients who have symptoms of measles, have not been vaccinated, and/or have recently traveled should be screened, evaluated, and identified prior to their arrival at a health care setting. 
• Keep the patient out of the waiting room and common areas. 
• If a patient with suspected measles is entering a healthcare setting, they should wear a mask covering their nose and mouth and should be placed in an airborne infection isolation room if available.  
• If an airborne infection isolation room is not available, escort the patient away from others to a private room for evaluation and specimen collection. Do not use this room again until 2 hours after patient has left. 
• If a private room is not available, evaluation and specimen collection can be considered outside the health center such as the patient's car. 
• All healthcare personnel entering the patient room or caring for the patient should use respiratory protection at least as effective as an N95 respirator, regardless of immune status. 

Reporting

Immediately report any patient with suspected or confirmed measles by phone. Do not wait for laboratory confirmation. Early notification is critical to prevent transmission and allows public health staff to guide testing, isolation, and management of patients and exposed contacts.  

Call the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services if measles is suspected:

Weekdays: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm call 562-570-4302
Non-business hours/weekends call 562-500-5537

Diagnostic Testing

Vaccine Reccomendations

• The MMR vaccine is highly protective against measles. One dose of the Measles vaccine is 93% effective, while 2 doses are 97% effective against measles.
• All healthcare staff should have proof of immunity against measles.
• International travelers ages 6 months and older should be vaccinated before traveling if they do not have any proof of immunity against measles. Learn more on travel recommendations
• For any vaccine related adverse events, please report to Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) 

Post Exposure Prophylaxis

Post-exposure prophylaxis should be offered to individuals who do not have any proof of immunity and have been exposed to measles. MMR or MMRV vaccine should be given to those who meet the requirement within 72 hours of exposure or IG within 6 days of exposure.