Susceptibility of healthcare workers to measles, mumps rubella and varicella.

Susceptible healthcare workers are at risk of acquiring and transmitting measles, mumps, rubella and varicella to or from patients. We tested 333 employees at Padova University Hospital, for specific IgG. Of the workers tested, 98.2% were positive for measles, 85.9% for mumps, 97.6% for rubella and 97.9% for varicella. Eventhough participants born before 1957 were not all positive, they had a higher prevalence of immunity. We suggest serological screening in high-risk areas (paediatrics, oncology, radiotherapy, infectious diseases, maternity and the laboratory) and vaccination of susceptible employees. Copyright 2002 The Hospital Infection Society.