This email is being sent to subscribers of the Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications and Updates and Assisted Living Forum lists.
Health Alert Network-Confirmed Measles Case at a Large Gathering
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify clinicians and public health officials about a confirmed measles case at a large gathering. On February 24, 2023, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) identified a confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated individual with a history of recent international travel. While infectious, the individual attended a large religious gathering on February 17–18, 2023, at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. An estimated 20,000 people attended the gathering from Kentucky, other U.S. states, and other countries during February 17–18, and an undetermined number of these people may have been exposed. This Health Advisory also highlights other recent large global measles outbreaks and associated U.S. importations, and the importance of early recognition, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment. CDC recommends that clinicians be on alert for cases of measles that meet the case definition.
Given the situation, and the extremely high transmissibility of measles, there is potential for additional cases and spread to communities with lower vaccination rates. Therefore, we encourage you to take the following steps:
- Encourage all health care providers to be on the lookout for signs of measles in their patients.
- Urge all vaccinators to give a strong recommendation for all childhood vaccines, especially MMR, and review answers to common vaccine questions.
- Review and share the resources below.
Communications:
- Find information for the public about measles on the DHS website.
- Use this DHS measles fact sheet available in English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish.
- Encourage parents and caregivers to check on a child’s record through the Wisconsin Immunization Registry
- Post and distribute additional patient educational materials: Put Measles On the Spot flyer, Wear a Mask if You Suspect Measles (for doctor’s office) flyer
- Share positive immunization messaging on your social media: English, which includes a guide for how to use the social media materials, and Spanish. These materials were developed in partnership with the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Wisconsin Immunization Program, and Wisconsin Medicaid and HMO programs.
Surveillance and Control:
Relevant Data:
|
