Measles and rubella eradication in Alaska.
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has instituted a special surveillance program to investigate every suspected case of measles and rubella. Clinical and epidemiologic information is obtained, and serologic testing is performed to confirm all tentative diagnoses. In 1974, forty-one cases were investigated, and none were confirmed as measles or rubella. This record is attributed to high immunization levels and rapid epidemiologic follow-up of all suspected cases. We believe that this program can be easily instituted in other states, particularly those with a limited number of reported cases.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D007883:Legislation, Medical; D008457:Measles / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012409:Rubella / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*