Key Links

Keylinks Right Menu 

Licensure Key Links

Keylinks Licensure

identification of two measles cases in the greater New Orleans area.

CONTACT LDH WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS!

Guidance for evaluating suspected measles cases

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is reporting that two individuals were diagnosed with measles in the Greater New Orleans Area. These individuals were unvaccinated and recently returned from an out-of-state trip. A public health investigation has been initiated and we will provide additional updates as we are able to collect more information.

Healthcare providers in and around the City of New Orleans should proactively identify and update the immunity status of their patients and be vigilant for the possibility of additional cases of measles.

Importations of measles into communities with unvaccinated persons can lead to measles cases and outbreaks in the United States. Maintenance of high vaccination coverage, ensuring timely vaccination before travel, and early detection and isolation of cases are key factors to limit importations and the spread of disease.

Healthcare providers in Louisiana, and especially New Orleans should consider measles in patients who:

Healthcare providers should also consider measles when evaluating patients for other febrile rash illnesses, including 

If you suspect measles, do the following immediately:

Management of Patients with Febrile Rash Illness

Ideally, all patients with suspect measles should be placed immediately into a negative air pressure room. This greatly reduces the risk of transmission of measles to others in the facility and can minimize the post-exposure control measures required. The other steps listed below (e.g., masking patient, placing in a private room) may reduce the spread of measles, but usually do not eliminate the need for full post-exposure control measures.

The collection of clinical specimens for measles testing on all individuals with suspect measles is extremely important. Contact the LOPH epidemiology hotline (available 24/7) at 

 for technical guidance on specimen collection, necessary submission forms, and to arrange for transportation to the State Laboratory.

Post-Exposure Control Measures Should Cases be seen in Healthcare Facilities

Vaccinate all susceptible persons or provide immune globulin.

Post-exposure Prophylaxis with Immune Globulin (IG)

IG can prevent or modify measles in persons who are nonimmune if given within 6 days of exposure. There are three groups of patients at increased risk of severe disease from measles: infants <12 months; pregnant women without evidence of measles immunity; and severely immunocompromised individuals. The recommended dose of IG administered intramuscularly (IGIM) is 0.5 mL/kg of body weight (maximum dose = 15 mL) and the recommended dose of IG given intravenously (IGIV) is 400 mg/kg.