Measles
Measles Playbook
Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases and the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease. Approximately 90% of susceptible persons in close contact with measles will develop the disease.
APIC Resources and Tools
Click here to download the APIC Measles Playbook
- Developed by the APIC Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force to help infection preventionists rapidly activate measles prevention efforts
- The playbook is a concise workflow document that is designed to be user-friendly and operational for busy infection preventionists
Click here to watch what infection preventionists need to know about measles
Click here to watch what the general public needs to know about measles
- APIC’s Rapid Rundown video provides concise, high-yield summaries tailored for busy infection preventionists in under 3 minutes
About Measles
- The measles virus, a member of the Paramyxoviridae Family, causes measles
- Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases known, and the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease
- Primary Mode: Respiratory droplets and airborne spread via coughing, sneezing, or breathing
- Environmental persistence: The Virus can remain airborne or on surfaces for up to two hours
- Approximately 90% of susceptible individuals who are exposed will become infected
- Incubation period: 7 to 21 days, or up to 28 days if immune globulin is received (e.g., IVIG or IGIM
- Early symptoms of measles infection can be similar to those of many respiratory viral illnesses
- Characteristic Sign: Koplik spots (tiny white lesions inside the mouth)
