Nurses' Perspectives on Caring for Critically Ill Children During a Measles Outbreak: A Case Report

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread through droplets. Signs range from mild to severe, and some patients need hospitalization. Vaccines to prevent measles have been accessible since the late 1960s, and the disease was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.

A measles outbreak in 2025 provided an opportunity to examine the perspectives of 3 pediatric intensive care unit nurses who cared for critically ill children with measles. Interviews revealed strengths and stressors they encountered during their care of these patients.

The nurses demonstrated resilience and adaptation while managing an infectious disease outbreak. They used organizational support, teamwork, and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to navigate the complexities of patient care. Strengths included enhanced preparedness, responsiveness facilitated by organizational leaders, and infection prevention measures. Stressors included media impact, community trust issues, and communication barriers. Despite these challenges, the nurses were committed to overcoming misinformation, building trust, and effectively communicating with families to ensure comprehensive disease prevention education.

Recommendations for health care institutions include enhancing media literacy, addressing vaccine hesitancy, and promoting disaster preparedness to equip nurses for future challenges.