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Multistate investigation of measles among adoptees from China--April 9, 2004
Insights
A measles outbreak was detected in children recently adopted from China. Health providers should screen internationally adopted children for vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.
Area of Science:
- Communicable disease epidemiology
- International adoption health
- Public health surveillance
Background:
- A case of measles was confirmed in a child recently adopted from China.
- This prompted a multistate investigation by public health authorities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extent of measles and other communicable diseases among internationally adopted children.
- To alert healthcare providers to potential risks.
Main Methods:
- Case finding and contact tracing across multiple states.
- Laboratory confirmation of measles cases.
- Collaboration between local, state, and federal health agencies.
Main Results:
- Identified four confirmed and five suspected cases of measles among adoptees from China.
- Highlighted the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases in this population.
Conclusions:
- Children adopted internationally, particularly from China, may be at risk for measles.
- Healthcare providers must maintain vigilance for communicable diseases in internationally adopted children.
Abstract:
On April 6, 2004, Public Health--Seattle and King County, Washington, reported a laboratory-confirmed case of measles in a recently adopted child from China. Public health authorities in Washington state notified CDC, which collaborated with health officials in other states to locate other recently adopted children from China and contact their adoptive families. This report summarizes the preliminary results of an ongoing multistate investigation that has so far identified four confirmed and five suspected cases of measles among adoptees from China, underscoring the need for health-care providers to remain vigilant for measles and other vaccine-preventable communicable diseases in children adopted from international regions.
