Measles--United States, 1996, and the interruption of indigenous transmission

As of December 30, 1996 (week 52), local and state health departments had reported a provisional total of 488 confirmed cases of measles to CDC for 1996, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico had reported eight cases. In addition, indigenous transmission of measles in the United States was interrupted for a prolonged period beginning in late 1996. This report summarizes measles surveillance data for 1996, which indicate a substantial proportion of cases were associated with continued international importations of measles and outbreaks among school-aged children who were not required to receive a second dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV) to attend school.