Kailey Nelson1, Karen Marienau, Christopher Schembri, Susan Redd. 1. Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Flight-related measles contact investigations in the United States are coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To evaluate the efficiency of CDC's measles protocol, we analyzed data from contact investigations conducted December 2008-December 2011. METHODS: Cases were defined as travelers diagnosed with measles that were infectious at the time of the flight. Passengers seated within 2 rows of the case-traveler and all babies-in-arms were defined as contacts. Contact information obtained from airlines was distributed to US health departments; reporting of outcomes was requested. We cross-referenced the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System and CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases to identify unreported cases in passenger-contacts and in passengers not identified as contacts. RESULTS: Our evaluation included 74 case-travelers on 108 flights. Information for 2673 (79%) of 3399 passenger-contacts was provided to health departments; 9 cases of secondary measles were reported. No additional cases were identified. CONCLUSION: Our evaluation provided evidence of measles transmission related to air travel. CDC's protocol efficiently identifies passengers most at risk of exposure and infection for flights into and within the United States. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
BACKGROUND: Flight-related measles contact investigations in the United States are coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To evaluate the efficiency of CDC's measles protocol, we analyzed data from contact investigations conducted December 2008-December 2011. METHODS: Cases were defined as travelers diagnosed with measles that were infectious at the time of the flight. Passengers seated within 2 rows of the case-traveler and all babies-in-arms were defined as contacts. Contact information obtained from airlines was distributed to US health departments; reporting of outcomes was requested. We cross-referenced the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System and CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases to identify unreported cases in passenger-contacts and in passengers not identified as contacts. RESULTS: Our evaluation included 74 case-travelers on 108 flights. Information for 2673 (79%) of 3399 passenger-contacts was provided to health departments; 9 cases of secondary measles were reported. No additional cases were identified. CONCLUSION: Our evaluation provided evidence of measles transmission related to air travel. CDC's protocol efficiently identifies passengers most at risk of exposure and infection for flights into and within the United States. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Authors: Joanna J Regan; M Robynne Jungerman; Susan A Lippold; Faith Washburn; Efrosini Roland; Tina Objio; Christopher Schembri; Reena Gulati; Paul J Edelson; Francisco Alvarado-Ramy; Nicki Pesik; Nicole J Cohen Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 2016 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 2.792
Authors: M Robynne Jungerman; Laura A Vonnahme; Faith Washburn; Francisco Alvarado-Ramy Journal: Travel Med Infect Dis Date: 2017-06-23 Impact factor: 6.211