The Impact of Measles Outbreaks on Health Systems and Education: Lessons from Birmingham and Texas

Recent outbreaks of measles in Birmingham, UK, and Texas, USA, have put a spotlight on the profound strain these occurrences place, not only on health systems but also on education systems. Both these outbreaks exhibited far-reaching consequences that went beyond those directly affected by the disease. Measles outbreaks have recently surged from Europe to Africa and…

4 days ago

Infection Prevention News

Resurgence of Measles: Insights for Hospital Infection Prevention

Building on the recent resurgence of measles, the focus of this article is the measurable uptick in measles cases in the United States in 2025. A worrisome prediction by experts, that falling vaccination rates would inevitably lead to a measles comeback, became a stark reality making 2025 a difficult year for infectious disease control. Pediatric…

January 7, 2026

Infection Prevention News

Preemptive Measures: How Hospitals Prepare for Potential Measles Outbreak amidst Nationwide Surge

Amidst the most severe nationwide measles outbreak in three decades, hospitals in Milwaukee are priming their response protocols and educating healthcare providers against potential cases. Dr. Mary Beth Graham, a key figure in this immersive preparatory process, emphasized that these measures were set into motion several months ago, significantly before measles cases spread to the…

August 12, 2025

Infection Prevention News

Adopting a Reduced Measles Exposure Window: Relief for Infection Prevention Teams Without Compromising Patient Safety

When experiencing measles outbreaks in hospitals, the implementation of a 1-hour exposure window as opposed to the currently accepted 2-hour exposure window can adequately protect against secondary infections while simultaneously reducing pressure on healthcare personnel. This novel approach was testified by Wendy Berg, BSN, RN, CIC, the infection prevention manager at Children's Minnesota during the…

July 29, 2025

Infection Prevention News

Preventing the Spread: Handling Measles Exposure in a Healthcare Setting

Leading the fight against infectious diseases, the healthcare community thrives on shared knowledge and resources, particularly during viral seasons. An indicative event drew attention on June 20, 2025, when Seattle Children’s Hospital addressed a critical health scare—a pediatric patient testing positive for measles. The context was challenging, considering the patient wasn’t admitted, thus posing a…

July 7, 2025

Infection Prevention News

Addressing the Nationwide Measles Outbreak: An Appeal to Infection Prevention Professionals

A surge in measles cases across the nation, including several documented instances in various regions of Illinois, has laid emphasis on the urgency of implementing effective infection prevention strategies. The Indian Prairie School District, in particular, has shown commendable preparedness in countering the potential fallout of an escalating outbreak. Back in early 2024, a disturbing spike…

June 5, 2025

Infection Prevention News

Surge in Measles Cases across U.S.: A Concern for Infection Prevention Professionals

The U.S. health scenario is currently grappling with a concerning rise in measles cases. As per the most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nation has registered a total of 935 confirmed cases. Alarmingly, these cases are spread across 29 states. Texas, in particular, is witnessing a drastic surge, contributing…

May 5, 2025

Infection Prevention News

Combating Misinformation and Restoring Trust: An Insight into Vaccine Safety amid Measles Outbreak

In light of a burgeoning measles outbreak and a renewed wave of public skepticism, largely propelled by inconsistent governmental communication, Dr. Carol McLay, the 2025 President of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), lends her voice to the conversation. In her dialogue with Infection Control Today (ICT), she underscores the proven…

April 22, 2025

Infection Prevention News

Navigating The Complexities of Infection Control Amidst Measles Outbreaks and Vaccine Debates

Woo! Science column recently brought attention to the concerning Infection Prevention situation unfolding in the United States, highlighting a measles outbreak in Texas that resulted in two deaths. The ripple effects of this incident are far-reaching, extending beyond the state borders as the rubeola virus, responsible for measles, easily circumvents geographic and socio-cultural boundaries. Notably,…

April 7, 2025

Infection Prevention News

Peering into Present Public Health Dynamics: New Leadership, Disease Outbreaks, and Health Systems Under Strain

This week, the Infection Prevention community was greeted with news of notable shifts in American health leadership. The Senate confirmed Marty Makary and Jay Bhattacharya to fill the substantial roles of FDA commissioner and director of National Institutes of Health, respectively. While both faced questions regarding their stances on vaccines and the Department of Government…

March 28, 2025

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