Kane County Health Department

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Measles Guidelines for Healthcare Providers


Clinical Evaluation

If a patient presents with a fever and rash with clinically compatible measles symptoms (cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis) consider measles, especially if there was recent travel internationally or if exposed to a person with a febrile rash. Refer to the IDPH Measles Testing Flowchart when evaluating patients with febrile rash illnesses. 

Isolation of Suspected Measles Case

  • Mask and isolate the patient immediately
  • Place the patient in airborne isolation
  • Notify your facility’s infection prevention team    

Notify Kane County Health Department

Healthcare providers are to report any suspect case of measles to the local health department immediately, and upon clinical suspicion prior to testing. To report a suspect case to Kane County Health Department call (630) 208-3801 for 24/7 support. 

Testing​

Measles PCR testing in the recommended testing method to confirm a measles infection. Testing for measles is available at IDPH Laboratory at no cost to the provider and patient with a shorter turnaround time compared to a commercial lab. 

Call Kane County Health Department immediately to facilitate testing and to obtain authorization for testing at IDPH laboratory.  

Reminder: Collect a throat or nasopharyngeal swabs for measles PCR testing at IDPH Laboratory. Use Dacron or Nylon tipped swabs. Please read through the Instructions for Measles Virus Submission for additional details related to specimen collection and transport.

The IDPH CD Laboratory Test Requisition Form​ must be sent with each specimen sent to IDPH Laboratory. The authorization code provided by KCHD should be entered in the upper left corner of the form.

What to do While Awaiting Results

  • ​Any exam room(s) the patient was in should be closed down for at least 2 hours after the patient has left.
  • If the patient is admitted, they need to be placed on airborne precautions.
  • If the patient is being discharged home, instruct the patient to stay home away from others until test results are back. If medical care is necessary during this time, instruct the patient to call the healthcare facility to notify of status prior to showing up at the healthcare facility. 
  • Begin to gather information on staff and other patients who were in the area during the time the suspect measles patient was in the facility and for two hours after the patient left. If the case is confirmed, contact tracing will need to be conducted and will be coordinated with KCHD.

Vaccination

The MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent measles infection. Educate and promote uptake of the MMR vaccine within staff, patients and community members.

Children should receive 2 doses:
  • ​1st dose at 12-15 months of age.
  • 2nd dose between 4-6 years of age.
Adults without evidence of immunity should receive at least one dose. 

International Travel
  • ​Infants 6-11 months old should receive 1 dose of MMR vaccine.
  • Children 12 months + should receive 2 doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for Measles 

People who are exposed to measles and cannot readily show adequate presumptive evidence of immunity against measles should be offered post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). 

Types of PEP for measles:
  • ​MMR vaccine, if administered within 72 hours of initial measles exposure.
  • Immunoglobulin (IG), if administered within 6 days of exposure. 

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