MSMS debuted its new monthly webinar series, Michigan's Public Health on Thursday. Our inaugural session featured the state's Chief Medical Executive, Natasha Bagdasarian, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FACP. Doctor Bagdasarian provided updates on seasonal flu, avian flu, and the measles outbreak. She shared that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issues a measles alert to health care provider earlier this week. Please see more information below. The purpose of the series is to keep members current on pressing public health issues in Michigan. These sessions are FREE to all active MSMS members. To view the recording click here. Future dates are in the works, watch Medigram for more information.
MDHHS is alerting all providers to consider measles in any patient presenting with a febrile rash illness, especially if unvaccinated or vaccination status is unknown or with international travel or domestic travel to a known outbreak location in the last 21 days.
Immediate isolation, appropriate specimen collection, and notification are crucial to expedite public health action, including post-exposure prophylaxis, that can limit and control disease transmission. For additional guidance on clinical features review: Clinical Overview of Measles | Measles (Rubeola) | CDC.
Measures to take if you suspect measles:
|
Isolate
|
Test
|
Report
|
Limit Spread
|
|
Immediately mask and isolate the patient in a private room with a closed door (airborne infection isolation room if available). Follow airborne precautions.
Permit only staff immune to measles to be near the patient.
Wear N-95 masks.
|
Collect a nasopharyngeal (NP) or oropharyngeal (OP) synthetic swab (e.g., flocked or polyester) in a viral transport medium for PCR testing AND a blood specimen to detect IgM antibodies in serum.
- PCR specimens should be sent to MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories (BOL).
- Serum sent to BOL will be processed at CDC or can be sent to a commercial lab for testing.
- Complete Test Requisition Form DCH-6084 for specimens sent to BOL.
|
Immediately notify your Local Health Department of the patient’s residence on any suspicion of measles to facilitate expedited testing at MDHHS BOL.
Contact infection control if available at your facility.
|
Do not use exam rooms for at least two hours after a suspected measles patient has left the room.
Work with local health departments to immediately identify people potentially exposed to the patient (i.e., anyone who has spent any amount of time in the shared air space of an infected person).
People with confirmed measles should isolate for four days after they develop a rash.
|
Take every opportunity to ensure patients are up to date on measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses are 97% effective in preventing measles. For more information, including guidelines for patient evaluation, diagnosis, and management, visit: