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Molecular epidemiology of measles viruses in the United States, 1997-2001

Paul A Rota1, Stephanie L Liffick, Jennifer S Rota

  • 1Measles Virus Section, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. prota@cdc.gov

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|August 27, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Measles virus genotypes in the U.S. from 1997-2001 showed diverse origins, with genotypes D6, D5, and D4 imported from Europe, Japan, and South Asia, respectively. No single measles strain was found to be endemic in the United States during this period.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Measles remains a significant public health concern globally.
  • Understanding the genetic diversity of measles virus is crucial for effective disease control and prevention strategies.
  • The United States has experienced measles outbreaks despite high vaccination rates, necessitating ongoing surveillance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the genetic diversity of measles virus strains circulating in the United States between 1997 and 2001.
  • To identify the geographic origins of imported measles virus genotypes.
  • To determine if any measles virus strains were endemic in the U.S. during the study period.

Main Methods:

  • Sequence analysis of the nucleocapsid (N) gene of measles virus from 55 clinical specimens.
  • Classification of viral sequences into recognized genotypes.
  • Tracking of case origins to identify importations and transmission chains.

Main Results:

  • Eleven distinct measles virus genotypes were identified among 55 clinical specimens from 21 outbreaks and 34 sporadic cases.
  • Genotype D6 (from Europe) and D5 (from Japan) were the most frequently detected.
  • Genotype D4 viruses were imported from India and Pakistan, and seven different genotypes were identified across 13 transmission chains.

Conclusions:

  • The measles virus genotypes circulating in the U.S. from 1997 to 2001 originated from multiple international sources.
  • The observed genetic diversity indicates that no single measles virus strain was endemic in the United States during this timeframe.
  • Continued international travel and importations necessitate robust measles surveillance and vaccination programs.

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