Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 12, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Infection prevention processes implemented at a children's hospital during a community measles outbreak, 2025
Lacey Kovar1, Chris Gould2, Staci Marchand3
1Infection Prevention and Control Covenant Children's Hospital, Lubbock, TX.
Background:
Measles, a highly infectious virus, can cause outbreaks in low-vaccinated communities. In January 2025, a community-wide outbreak in the South Plains of Texas prompted a hospital serving pediatric and women's patients to rapidly develop and implement infection prevention protocols to treat measles patients while protecting patients, visitors, and staff within the hospital. This article explains infection prevention and control strategies utilized by the hospital during a community-wide measles outbreak and processes implemented to mitigate exposures.
Methods:
A multidisciplinary team collaborated to educate staff on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) measles infection prevention guidance and ensured access to necessary resources for protection. The hospital temporarily converted rooms to negative pressure, constructed a screening shed for patients arriving at the emergency department, developed signage to direct measles patients, provided roving fit testing, and worked with public health officials.
Results:
Ninety-eight patients presented to the hospital for measles. Fifty eight were confirmed via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or IgM tests, and 9 were diagnosed clinically. There were 810 patients hospitalized simultaneously with the measles patients, and none returned or were reported as secondary cases linked to hospital exposure.
Conclusions:
The implemented interventions successfully prevented measles secondary cases associated with the hospital.
Insights
A Texas hospital implemented infection prevention protocols during a measles outbreak, successfully preventing secondary cases among 810 hospitalized patients. This demonstrates effective strategies for measles control in healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Measles outbreaks pose significant risks, especially in communities with low vaccination rates.
- A community-wide measles outbreak in South Plains, Texas, necessitated rapid hospital response.
- A pediatric and women's hospital aimed to protect patients and staff during the outbreak.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail infection prevention and control strategies implemented during a measles outbreak.
- To describe processes used to mitigate measles exposure within a hospital setting.
Main Methods:
- Multidisciplinary team education on CDC measles guidance.
- Temporary conversion of rooms to negative pressure.
- Construction of an emergency department screening shed and clear patient signage.
- Roving fit testing and collaboration with public health officials.
Main Results:
- Ninety-eight patients presented with measles; 58 confirmed and 9 clinically diagnosed.
- No secondary measles cases were reported among 810 simultaneously hospitalized patients.
- Hospital interventions effectively prevented measles transmission within the facility.
Conclusions:
- The hospital's infection control measures were successful in preventing measles spread.
- The study highlights the efficacy of proactive infection control during infectious disease outbreaks.
More Related Videos
03:22Author Spotlight: Advancing Pathogen Detection and Disease Assessment in Real-Time Using M-ROSE
Published on: March 1, 2024
11:32Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
Published on: February 23, 2014
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
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...
01:20Infection
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
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...
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
01:51Vaccinations