Nationwide Study of Latex Allergies in HCWs

1993 Marks Fewest Reported Measles Cases in U.S. As of July 3, 1993, (week 26), local and state health departments reported a provisional total of 167 measles cases for 1993-the lowest total reported for the first 26 weeks of any year since surveillance began in 1943. The represents a 99% decrease from the 13,787 cases reported during the first 26 weeks of 1990, the peak of the recent resurgence. Overall, 39 reported case patients (22%) had received one dose of measles-containing vaccine on or after their first birthday; no cases were reported among persons who had received two doses of vaccine. A total of 47 reported case patients (27%) were unvaccinated but vaccine eligible (ie, U.S. citizens aged 216 months without medical, religious, or philosophical exemption to vaccination). Other unvaccinated groups included 3 persons (20%) with philosophical exemptions, 30 (17%) who were aged ~16 months, 10 (6%) who were born before 1957, and 10 (6%) who were non-U.S. citizens. During 1993, measles cases have involved predominantly school-aged persons, and the largest outbreaks have occurred among school-aged children who received one dose of measles vaccine (ie, vaccine failures). In contrast, from 1989 through 1991, cases involved predominantly preschool-aged children, and the largest outbreaks occured among unvaccinated preschool-aged children living in large urban areas. The decline in measles incidence during 1992 and 1993 most likely reflects increased measles vaccination coverage levels among preschool-aged children. The estimated level of measles vaccination coverage for children aged two years was substantially higher in 1991 (83%) than in 1985 (61%). The decline also may reflect a decrease in measles importation from other countries in the Western hemisphere associated with aggressive measles control programs. Although the low reported incidence of measles in 1993 suggests transmission has been interrupted in many parts of the United States, the report of 102 indigenous cases without a known source indicates that undetected transmission still is occuring in some areas. FROM: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR 1993:42:813-816