Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Measuring Bacterial Load and Immune Responses in Mice Infected with Listeria monocytogenes
12:50

Measuring Bacterial Load and Immune Responses in Mice Infected with Listeria monocytogenes

Published on: August 9, 2011

Measles outbreak among young adults in Victoria

R Andrews1,

  • 1Communicable Diseases Section, Public Health Division, Department of Human Services, 17/120 Spencer Street, Melboume, Victoria, Australia 3000. Ross.Andrews@dhs.vic.gov.au

Communicable Diseases Intelligence
|March 31, 2001
PubMed

Insights

A measles outbreak in Australia involved 30 young adults and an infant, with 57% of adults hospitalized. The measles virus strain was identified as genotype D, originating from a traveler returning from India.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Virology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Measles outbreaks pose significant public health risks, particularly in young adult populations.
  • Imported cases can initiate localized transmission chains.
  • Understanding viral genotypes aids in tracking disease spread and origins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report and characterize a measles outbreak in young adults and an infant.
  • To identify the transmission dynamics and potential sources of the outbreak.
  • To determine the genetic makeup (genotype) of the measles virus involved.

Main Methods:

  • Laboratory confirmation of measles cases.
  • Epidemiological investigation of case contacts and exposure settings.
  • RNA genotyping of the measles virus strain.

Main Results:

  • The outbreak involved 30 young adults and 1 infant, with 17 (57%) young adults requiring hospitalization.
  • The primary case was linked to international travel from India.
  • Secondary transmission was suspected in a nightclub setting.
  • The measles virus strain was identified as genotype 'D'.

Conclusions:

  • This outbreak highlights the potential for measles importation and rapid spread within a susceptible population.
  • Genotyping confirmed the specific measles virus strain, aiding in epidemiological tracing.
  • Public health interventions are crucial to control measles transmission following imported cases.

More Related Videos

An Improved and High Throughput Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Micro-neutralization Assay09:14

An Improved and High Throughput Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Micro-neutralization Assay

Published on: January 26, 2019

Assessing Respiratory Immune Responses to Haemophilus Influenzae06:32

Assessing Respiratory Immune Responses to Haemophilus Influenzae

Published on: June 29, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Vaccinations01:51

Vaccinations

Overview
Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence01:28

Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence

Infectious diseases appear in populations through various transmission patterns, influenced by pathogen characteristics, population immunity, environmental conditions, and social behavior. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective public health surveillance and intervention. These categories—sporadic, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, and endemic—help frame the nature and scope of disease events.Sporadic diseases occur irregularly and infrequently, without a predictable temporal or...
Diphtheria01:28

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated infectious disease that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a Gram-positive, pleomorphic rod that lacks spore-forming capability and exhibits a characteristic club-shaped morphology under microscopic examination. While C. diphtheriae can asymptomatically colonize mucosal surfaces, clinical disease manifests only when the bacterial strain is lysogenized by a specific β-corynephage. This phage...
Smallpox01:24

Smallpox

Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.
Chickenpox01:20

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Its transmission occurs primarily through the inhalation of respiratory droplets or direct contact with vesicular fluid from skin lesions. The incubation period typically ranges from 10 to 21 days, during which the virus replicates and disseminates through sequential phases within the host. Although generally self-limiting in children,...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...