LOPH: Measles Confirmed in Louisiana

The Louisiana Office of Public Health (LOPH) has confirmed the first case of measles in the State this year in a visitor from Europe. The individual visited New Orleans for a public event while infectious (from April 5 through April 8). LOPH has worked extensively with healthcare providers and the City of New Orleans to notify individuals who may have been exposed and to make recommendations concerning vaccination and other measures for susceptible contacts.

Healthcare providers in the City of New Orleans should proactively identify and update the immunity status of their patients and be vigilant for the possibility of additional cases of measles.

From Jan. 1 to March 30, 2018, 34 people from 11 states (Arkansas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas) were reported to have measles.

Healthcare providers in Louisiana, and especially New Orleans, should consider measles in patients who:

-present with febrile rash illness and clinically compatible measles symptoms (cough, coryza (runny nose) or conjunctivitis)

-have recently traveled internationally or were exposed to someone who recently traveled

-have not been vaccinated against measles

Healthcare providers should also consider measles when evaluating patients for other febrile rash illnesses, including dengue and Kawasaki disease.

If you suspect measles, do the following immediately:

1. Promptly isolate patients to minimize disease transmission (See Management of Patients below).

2. Immediately report a suspect measles case to the Louisiana Office of Public Health Infectious Disease Epidemiology Hotline at (800) 256-2748.

3. Obtain specimens for testing from patients with suspected measles. Get specimen collection advice by calling (800) 256-2748.

Management of Patients with Febrile Rash Illness:

Ideally, all patients with suspect measles should be placed immediately into a negative air pressure room. This greatly reduces the risk of transmission of measles to others in the facility and can minimize the post-exposure control measures required. The other steps listed below (e.g., masking patient, placing in a private room) may reduce the spread of measles, but usually do not eliminate the need for full post-exposure control measures.

Only staff with evidence of immunity to measles should attend suspect measles patients.

Ensure that you have vaccination records of all staff available to ensure those who are caring for the patient are vaccinated.

Assess, screen, and mask all patients with febrile rash illness immediately on arrival.

Escort masked patients to a separate waiting area or place them immediately in a private room, preferably at negative air pressure relative to other patient care areas.

04/19/2018