Notes from the Field: Lack of Measles Transmission to Susceptible Contacts from a Health Care Worker with Probable Secondary Vaccine Failure — Maricopa County, Arizona, 2015

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Jefferson Jones, MD1,2; Ron Klein2; Saskia Popescu, MPH3; Karen Rose2; Melissa Kretschmer, MA2; Alice Carrigan, MS2; Felicia Trembath, MPH2,4; Lia Koski, MPH2; Karen Zabel, MSN2; Scott Ostdiek, MD3; Paula Rowell-Kinnard, MSN3; Esther Munoz3; Rebecca Sunenshine, MD2,5; Tammy Sylvester, MSN2

On January 23, 2015, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) was notified of a suspected measles case in a nurse, a woman aged 48 years. On January 11, the nurse had contact with a patient with laboratory-confirmed measles associated with the Disneyland theme park–related outbreak in California (1). On January 21, she developed a fever (103°F [39.4°C]), on January 23 she experienced cough and coryza, and on January 24, she developed a rash. The patient was instructed to isolate herself at home. On January 26, serum, a nasopharyngeal swab, and a urine specimen were collected. The following day, measles infection was diagnosed by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing of the nasopharyngeal swab and urine specimen and by detection of measles-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Because of her symptoms and laboratory results, the patient was considered to be infectious.

The case patient had documentation of receipt of 2 doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine in 1991 and 1992. In 2006, the patient had received negative measles IgG serology test results; however, according to recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, she was presumed to be immune because she had received two MMR doses (2).

The presence of measles IgG (index standard ratio = 8.2, with ≥1.1 considered seropositive) 2 days after rash onset suggested secondary vaccine failure (waning of vaccine-induced immunity, rather than failure to develop an immune response to administered vaccine [i.e., primary vaccine failure]). Symptoms in these patients range from typical measles to a much milder, modified illness (3). Secondary measles vaccine failure is uncommon, and although measles transmission from such persons has been documented (4), it is not believed to contribute significantly to spread (5).

The patient worked at a tertiary pediatric outpatient health care facility during January 20–21, a period which coincided with her infectious period. In cooperation with the health care facility, an investigation was conducted to prevent further transmission by identifying contacts, providing postexposure prophylaxis, recommending quarantine for unvaccinated contacts, and providing education for rapid isolation and diagnosis of symptomatic contacts (6). The health care facility identified 71 health care workers (HCWs) and 195 patients who had been exposed to the nurse on the 2 days she had worked; all 71 HCWs had documented receipt of ≥2 doses of MMR vaccine or serologic proof of measles immunity.

During January 26–30, the health care facility, in consultation with MCDPH, attempted to reach families of exposed patients by telephone; one to three telephone calls were made to each household. A total of 144 (74%) of 195 potentially exposed patients and their family members (total = 380 persons) were contacted (>72 hours after exposure). MMR vaccination status (receipt of ≥1 dose) and measles symptoms were ascertained by telephone interview for exposed patients and family members (Table). Fifty-one patients (among 47 families) could not be contacted, and the Arizona State Immunization Information System was accessed to verify their MMR vaccination status. The status of persons whose records listed no MMR vaccination history was considered unknown. Assuming that one adult (with unknown MMR vaccine status) accompanied each family, a total of 478 patients and family members were potentially exposed. Among the 478, 40 (8%) were considered to be potentially susceptible: 10 were unvaccinated persons without other evidence of measles immunity in non-high–risk groups (eight children aged 1–11 years and two adults aged 26 and 38 years), and 30 were persons in high-risk groups (21 infants aged <1 year, and therefore too young for routine MMR vaccination, and nine immunocompromised persons). Immune globulin was administered to 15 (71%) infants and eight (89%) immunocompromised patients within 6 days of their exposure.*

After 21 days had elapsed from the last measles exposure, calls to families of the 195 patients were attempted; 106 (54%) families responded and reported that no exposed family members had developed a febrile rash illness. No measles cases were reported in Maricopa County. These findings are consistent with previous reports demonstrating limited transmission from persons with secondary measles vaccine failure. In addition, the risk for transmission was reduced because all exposed HCWs had been vaccinated for measles.

HCWs born after 1956 should have documentation of receipt of 2 doses of MMR vaccine or laboratory evidence of measles immunity (2). Secondary vaccine failure occurs rarely, but transmission of measles to susceptible persons in these situations appears to be unlikely. If a patient is suspected of having measles, HCWs should implement airborne precautions (6). Case investigation and contact tracing should be conducted for all U.S. measles cases, regardless of vaccination history or occupation (6), and a history of travel should be solicited for any patient with a febrile rash illness (7). 2 doses of MMR vaccine, administered ≥28 days apart, are recommended for children aged ≥12 months and adults born after 1956, for prevention of measles.

Acknowledgment

Kathryn Fitzpatrick, MS, Arizona Public Health Laboratory, Arizona Department of Health Services.

1Epidemic Intelligence Service, CDC; 2Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Phoenix, Arizona; 3Phoenix Children's Hospital, Arizona; 4Health Systems Integration Program, CDC; 5Career Epidemiology Field Officer Program, CDC.

Corresponding author: Jefferson M. Jones, JJones10@cdc.gov, 602-376-8251.

References

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