Wolters Kluwer, a known world leader in the provision of information, software solutions, and services for professionals across various sectors, including healthcare, is shedding light on an increasingly significant issue: measles. As one of the world’s most infectious diseases, measles can infect up to 90% of vulnerable individuals who have extensive contact with an infected person. As such, an effective response to a potential measles outbreak is of the utmost importance for infection preventionists in any healthcare setting.
From the start of the year until June 5, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had identified 1,168 confirmed cases of measles across 34 states in the U.S. Among these cases, an alarming 89% were associated with outbreaks – a significant increase from the 69% of outbreak-associated cases reported in 2024. Despite the advances in medical technology, measles remains a significant health threat in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and Africa. In the U.S., international travelers with measles continue to introduce and spread the disease.
To provide aid to infection prevention teams, the CDC maintains an updated measles tracker. This tool provides invaluable information about current measles trends and outbreaks across the country. This data is critical for planning and preparedness, regardless of whether there is a known presence of measles within their healthcare community.
Once measles is identified in a healthcare setting, the fact that it is a highly contagious disease, capable of being transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or airborne particles that remain infectious up to two hours after an infected person has left an area, makes it a challenge to manage. Therefore, timeliness in identifying infectious patients is absolutely critical.
Immediate preventive measures must be administered upon confirmation of a case in a healthcare facility. The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is a proven way to prevent measles, allowing the immune system to build long-term protection. It is especially important for healthcare workers to maintain immunity because they are often exposed to infectious diseases. This protection not only ensures their health but also protects vulnerable groups like infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.
Prevention is key, as there is no approved treatment for measles, only for complications associated with the infection. The CDC provides up-to-date resources, including a list of frequently asked questions, to answer timely queries about measles and MMR vaccination.
Efficient management of a measles outbreak response is no small task for an infection preventionist. Findings from the CDC and insights from JAMA indicate that healthcare organizations need to standardize their processes, engage with their community, and leverage advanced technologies to effectively handle outbreaks. The ability to respond in real time is of utmost importance in controlling transmission, protecting communities, and ultimately saving lives.
CDC’s recent report emphasizes the persistent risk of measles outbreaks, especially in low-vaccination-coverage zones, and stresses the importance of folk leaders and healthcare providers working together to increase vaccination rates and implement culturally sensitive public health measures. Additionally, new research from JAMA highlights the effectiveness of modeling and surveillance systems in predicting outbreak scenarios and swiftly adjusting prevention strategies.
Taken together, this highlights how crucial an infection prevention and control plan is for healthcare institutions, and outlines three ways to harness clinical surveillance technology to prepare for measles, or any potential outbreak: offer real-time responses to prevent spread; integrate approaches for complete coverage and real-time information sharing, keeping all stakeholders well-informed about risks and prevention strategies; ensure measles outbreak containment for all patient, visitor and staff safety protocols.
In summary, well-planned strategies and fast responses leveraging advanced technology are fundamental in managing and mitigating measles outbreaks effectively. As experts in the field, infection preventionists play a pivotal role in managing these measures ensuring the safety of the healthcare community.