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As of April 17, 2025, a total of 800 confirmed measles cases were reported by 25 jurisdictions with the majority of cases linked to outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. Over 90% of reported cases have occurred in unvaccinated children and adolescents or those with unknown vaccination status.
Measles is highly contagious - infected individuals are contagious from 4 days before to 4 days after rash onset, and the virus can remain airborne or survive on surfaces for up to 2 hours.
Key Actions for Providers:
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Isolate your patient with suspected measles immediately
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Immediately notify public health: 24-hour Epi On Call contact list—rapid response is critical.
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Test promptly using a nasopharyngeal (NP) or oropharyngeal (OP) swab for RT-PCR and collect blood for measles IgM serology.
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Review MMR vaccination status for all patients, especially those traveling internationally or in outbreak-affected areas.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for measles. Supportive care and prompt management of complications -- such as pneumonia or encephalitis -- remain essential.
Resources:
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We appreciate your efforts as we transition to new data loggers.
Here are the latest updates:
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All Tier 1,2,3 Providers:
Expected to be fully set up by May 1, 2025. Some locations may still be troubleshooting -- reach out to mipdataloggers@maine.gov if you need more time.
Support:
Control Solutions' support team is based on the West Coast (Pacific Time), which is three hours behind Eastern Time. To ensure timely assistance, the best time to reach them from Maine is between 12 - 5 PM EST.
Temperature Documentation Reminder:
There will be no change to the monitoring and documentation of temperatures. All sites will still need to manually enter temperature into ImmPact as well as write them on the paper temperature log.
Additional Resources:
Thank you for your continued patience and flexibility during the rollout of the new data loggers.
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Honor an immunization champion you know!
The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) invites nominations for its Immunization Champion Awards. The award is presented to a champion from each of the designated immunization jurisdictions, which includes 50 U.S. states, five cities, the District of Columbia, and eight U.S. territories or freely associated states. This award recognizes people who are doing an exemplary job, going above and beyond to promote vaccinations in their communities, for both children and adults.
Submit your nomination using the online form here. Nominations will be accepted until May 9, 2025.
Completed nomination forms can be sent via email to caitlin.anton@maine.gov or faxed to 207-287-8127 Attn: Caitlin Anton.
See the latest provider communication for more information.
National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is a yearly observance held in April, highlighting the importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases. NIIW is April 21-28, 2025. CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that children stay on track with their well-child appointments and routine vaccinations. On-time vaccination is critical to provide protection against potentially life-threatening diseases.
All staff in healthcare practices, including non-clinical staff, play important roles during NIIW. To highlight childhood immunizations this NIIW, learn tips for talking with parents about childhood vaccines.
 Staying ahead of vaccine misinformation is crucial, especially when patients bring in concerns fueled by misinformation found through viral posts. Just the Facts is a weekly newsletter from Voices for Vaccines, which provides responses to vaccine myths that are currently circulating on social media.
Current topics include:
- Do vaccines cause measles outbreaks?
- Can bird flu vaccines worsen illness?
- Is COVID vaccine shedding real?
This resource is a valuable tool for providers looking to address misinformation with their patients.
The latest issue can be accessed here.
As summer travel planning starts, now is a good time to discuss travel related vaccines with patients. The CDC recommends that patients make an appointment to see a travel health specialist at least 4-6 weeks before they leave. This will ensure adequate time for immunizations.
The CDC's Travelers' Health website provides up to date information on travel vaccines, medication, and country-specific health alerts. Providers can also find clinical guidance and resources for patient education.
Visit our website for a full list of Travel Medicine Clinics. |
