Nosocomial transmission of measles: An updated review

Despite a decrease in global incidence, measles outbreaks continue to occur in developed countries as a result of suboptimal vaccine coverage. Currently, an important mode of measles transmission appears to be nosocomial, especially in countries where measles is largely under control. We therefore conducted a review of the literature by searching PubMed for the term "measles" plus either "nosocomial" or "hospital acquired" between 1997 (the date of the last review in the field) and 2011. The reports indicate that measles is being transmitted from patients to health care workers (HCWs) and from HCWs to patients and colleagues. Here, we explain how outbreaks of measles occurring in healthcare settings differ in some ways from cases of community transmission. We also highlight the need for all HCWs to be immunized against measles. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.