Diagnosing Measles

Dr Linda Calabresi

writer

Dr Linda Calabresi

GP; Medical Editor, Healthed

Dr Linda Calabresi

Key Points

  • The Department of Health requires suspected cases of measles to be notified immediately without waiting for laboratory confirmation
  • Measles is an urgent, highly contagious, notifiable disease. Secondary infections occur in 75-90% of susceptible household contacts
  • Transmission of the measles virus is by respiratory droplets and direct contact with respiratory secretions
  • Serological testing and PCR are the mainstays of laboratory diagnosis

Background

Measles is a highly contagious disease with secondary infections occurring in 75 – 90% of susceptible household contacts.1

With suboptimal vaccination coverage in some areas, measles outbreaks remain an unfortunate reality in Australia.2

A single case therefore has significant public health implications.

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