Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 26, 2026

Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an (A)BSL-4 Laboratory: 3. Aerobiology
11:13

Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an (A)BSL-4 Laboratory: 3. Aerobiology

Published on: October 3, 2016

Transmission of measles in medical settings. 1980 through 1984

R M Davis, W A Orenstein, J A Frank

    JAMA
    |March 14, 1986
    PubMed

    Insights

    Measles transmission in medical facilities increased significantly between 1980-1984. Most infections occurred in patients and visitors, particularly young children, highlighting the need for enhanced prevention strategies in healthcare settings.

    Area of Science:

    • Epidemiology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Public Health

    Background:

    • Measles (Morbillivirus) is a highly contagious viral disease.
    • Healthcare settings can be sites of measles transmission.
    • Understanding transmission patterns is crucial for prevention.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To analyze the incidence and characteristics of measles acquired in medical facilities in the United States.
    • To identify high-risk groups and transmission routes within healthcare settings.
    • To inform strategies for preventing measles outbreaks in medical environments.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective analysis of reported measles cases across 30 states from 1980 to 1984.
    • Categorization of cases based on probable acquisition in a medical facility.
    • Analysis of transmission dynamics, affected populations, and roles (patient, visitor, staff).

    Main Results:

    • A total of 241 measles cases were linked to medical facilities between 1980-1984.
    • The proportion of measles acquired in medical settings rose from 0.7% (1980-1982) to 2.9% (1983-1984).
    • Patients/visitors accounted for 76% of cases; healthcare personnel for 24%. Children under 5 years were most affected (54.3%).
    • Patient-to-patient spread (50.0%) and patient-to-staff spread (36.7%) were the most common transmission events.

    Conclusions:

    • Measles transmission within medical facilities is a growing concern, necessitating improved infection control measures.
    • Enhanced strategies, including isolation precautions, post-exposure prophylaxis, and healthcare worker immunization, are vital.
    • Targeted interventions are needed to protect vulnerable populations, especially young children, in healthcare settings.

    More Related Videos

    Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo12:42

    Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo

    Published on: January 7, 2019

    Intradermal Inoculation of Mycobacterium avium in the Mouse Ear09:20

    Intradermal Inoculation of Mycobacterium avium in the Mouse Ear

    Published on: July 3, 2025

    Related Concept Videos

    Vaccinations01:51

    Vaccinations

    Overview
    Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment01:25

    Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment

    Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
    Airborne precautions:
    Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
    Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets01:17

    Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets

    Transmission-based precautions are for patients known to be infected or suspected to be infected or colonized with organisms that pose a significant risk to others. Some transmission-based precautions include contact, enteric, and droplet.
    Contact Precautions:
    Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
    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...
    Transmission of Pathogens01:24

    Transmission of Pathogens

    Pathogens spread from their reservoirs to susceptible hosts through three main routes: contact transmission, vehicle transmission, and vector transmission. Each route involves distinct mechanisms of transfer.Contact TransmissionThis category includes direct contact, indirect contact, and droplet transmission:Direct contact involves immediate physical interaction between individuals—such as a handshake—which can spread pathogens like Streptococcus pyogenes, the bacterium responsible for...
    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.