Are You Prepared for Measles?
Measles is most commonly acquired from persons in the household or community but spread of measles can also occur in healthcare settings. Measles planning and preparedness is easy for long-term care providers in all levels of care with the new pamphlet designed specifically for use in resident care settings Measles In Long-Term Care (wa.gov).
Know what a case of Measles looks like and what to watch for in residents and staff. See page 20 in this document Infection Control in Healthcare Personnel: Epidemiology and Control of Selected Infections Transmitted Among Healthcare Personnel and Patients (cdc.gov), to handle an outbreak when found.
Measles is a vaccine preventable disease. The solution to prevent and manage Measles outbreaks is to vaccinate people and communities.
While the most important measure to prevent measles transmission in all settings is ensuring community immunization, core measles prevention in healthcare settings requires a multi-faceted approach including:
- Ensuring HCP have presumptive evidence of immunity to measles (see Recommendations section)
- Rapidly identifying and isolating patients with known or suspected measles
- Adhering to Standard and Airborne Precautions for patients with known or suspected measles
- Routinely promoting and facilitating respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
- Appropriately managing exposed and ill HCP
Interim Measles Infection Prevention Recommendations in Healthcare Settings | CDC
Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) | Washington State Department of Health
Resources for Long-Term Care Facilities | Washington State Department of Health
