Blue Review
A newsletter for Medicaid providers

April 2019

Prevention Matters Most: CDC Request for Measles Outbreak Support in Texas

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionleaving_site Icon (CDC), from January 1 to March 28, 2019, 387 people from 15 states have been reportedly diagnosed with measles. Six outbreaks (defined as three or more linked cases) have been reported in the following areas: Rockland County, New York; Monroe County, New York; New York City; Washington; Texas; and Illinois. Of these outbreaks, two outbreaks are ongoing from 2018.

According to the CDC, 10 cases of measles have been confirmed across Texas; four measles cases were confirmed in Harris County, one in Montgomery County, one in Galveston County, one in Bell County, one in Jefferson County, one in Collin County and one in Denton county. In support of the CDC, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is asking for your help to ensure that all patients are up to date on the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. When it comes to vaccinations, parents trust the expertise of their doctor more than anyone else. Explain to patients that the MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles infection.

Best Practice Summary:

  1. Discuss the importance of the MMR vaccine with parents. Listen and respond to parents’ questions. When parents have questions, it does not necessarily mean they won’t accept vaccines. Sometimes, they simply want your answers to their questions.
  2. Ensure all patients are up to date on the MMR vaccine.
    • Children need two doses of MMR: one dose at 12-15 months and another dose at 4-6 years.
    • Before any international travel, infants 6-11 months need one dose of MMR vaccine, children 12 months and older need two doses separated by at least 28 days, and teenagers and adults who do not have evidence of immunity against measles need two doses separated by at least 28 days.
  3. Consider measles in patients presenting with febrile rash illnesses and clinically compatible measles symptoms (cough, coryza and conjunctivitis), and ask patients about recent international travel or travel to domestic venues frequented by international travelers, as well as a history of measles exposures in their communities.
  4. Promptly isolate patients with suspected measles to avoid disease transmission and immediately report the suspected case to the health department.
  5. Obtain specimens for testing from patients with suspected measles, including viral specimens for genotyping, which can help determine the source of the virus. Contact the local health department with questions about submitting specimens for testing.

For more information, including guidelines for patient evaluation, diagnosis and management, visit the CDC’s websiteleaving_site Icon.

Provider Resources for Vaccine Conversations with Parentsleaving_site Icon aims to strengthen communication between health care professionals and parents.

Share information about measles with parents and the public in your office.

Reference and review BCBSTX’s Preventive Care Guidelines and Clinical Practice Guidelines, and the THSteps for Providers websiteleaving_site Icon for more information on this and other important topics for treating your patients.