title: Implication of health care personnel in measles transmission.
abstract: Healthcare personnel (HCP) play an important role in transmission of highly contagious diseases such as measles. Current immunization guidelines in Catalonia include Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) immunization for HCP born after 1967 without evidence of immunity. Despite high vaccination coverage (90%) a high burden of measles cases related to outbreaks have occurred. The aim of this study was to assess the implication of HCP in measles transmission related to healthcare setting. A review of surveillance case data from 2001 to 2013 gathered through the Measles Elimination Program in Catalonia was performed. Twenty six outbreaks involving 797 cases were reported, 52 (6.5%) were HCP aged 21-41 years, 72,5% (38) patient were care personnel (doctors and nurses) and 22,5% (14) other health care related personnel. Forty six 87%) were unvaccinated, 4(10%) had only one dose and 2 had two doses of MMR. In community outbreaks 30 clusters with HCP involved were observed, yet none were identified as index cases. Non-vaccinated HCPs against measles were all under 45 years of age. Vaccination is the only reliable protection against nosocomial spread of measles from HCPs. Assessing vaccination status of HCPs and implementing a 2 dose vaccination in those lacking evidence of immunity is needed in order to set to zero the risk of acquiring and spreading measles in healthcare (HC) settings.
authors.affiliation: a Public Health Agency of Catalonia; Department of Health of the Generalitat of Catalonia;
authors.forename: Núria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Torner
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Solano
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rius
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Domínguez
authors.forename: The Measles Elimination Program
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Surveillance Network Of Catalonia Spain
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine
keywords: Healthcare Personnel; Immunization; Measles elimination; Measles outbreaks; Nosocomial setting