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Measles surveillance in the United States: an overview

Dalya Guris1, Rafael Harpaz, Susan B Redd

  • 1National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. dhm5@cdc.gov.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|April 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

The United States measles surveillance system detects virus transmission and outbreaks, aiding measles elimination efforts. It uses passive reporting, inclusive case definitions, and lab testing to ensure accurate case identification and control.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Disease Control

Background:

  • Measles elimination is a national goal in the United States, pursued since the measles vaccine's introduction.
  • Effective measles surveillance is critical for guiding and achieving elimination efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the United States measles surveillance system's design and function.
  • To highlight its role in detecting transmission, controlling outbreaks, and identifying risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • A passive reporting system activated by suspected measles cases.
  • Investigation of additional cases surrounding a reported event.
  • Utilizes an inclusive case definition (fever and generalized rash) to enhance sensitivity.
  • Employs laboratory testing for measles confirmation to increase specificity.

Main Results:

  • The system is designed for detecting measles virus transmission.
  • Facilitates rapid discovery and control of measles outbreaks.
  • Aids in identifying risk factors associated with measles spread.

Conclusions:

  • The described surveillance system effectively supports measles elimination goals.
  • Its combination of passive reporting, broad case definition, and laboratory confirmation enhances accuracy and utility.

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