Management of contacts Definitions Contact Any person who has been in a confined space with the case during the period of communicability. Confined settings may include an early childhood service, classroom, household, transportation, indoor occupational or social setting. Some judgement may be required by the local medical officer of health, but noting that measles is highly infectious and this should be taken into account when determining contacts and public health action. Any person who has been in a waiting or consultation room with an infectious case, or has spent time in that room up to and including 2 hours after it has been vacated by the case must be treated as a contact. Susceptible contact Anyone born from 1 January 1969 who has not had measles infection or has not been fully vaccinated for their age. Anyone born between 1969 and 1981 who only received a single dose of measles vaccine between the ages of 10 and 15 months (because of possible interference from the mother’s antibodies). Acceptable presumptive evidence of immunity Date of before 1 January 1969 (they are presumed to be immune following exposure to the wild virus). Documentation of immunity or previous infection. Documentation of two doses of measles vaccine. If in doubt, vaccinate as there are no undue effects from vaccinating an individual who is immune. Prophylaxis For susceptible contacts, consider the use of MMR vaccine, human normal immunoglobulin (HNIG) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as described in the Immunisation Handbook 2011. There is some evidence that a single dose of (MMR) vaccine, when given to an unvaccinated person within 72 hours of first contact with an infectious person, may reduce the risk of developing disease. HNIG is available from the New Zealand Service and can be obtained by contacting the local hospital blood bank.
Management of contacts Definitions Contact Any person who has been in a confined space with the case during the period of communicability. Confined settings may include an early childhood service, classroom, household, transportation, indoor occupational or social setting. Some judgement may be required by the local medical officer of health, but noting that measles is highly infectious and this should be taken into account when determining contacts and public health action. Any person who has been in a waiting or consultation room with an infectious case, or has spent time in that room up to and including 2 hours after it has been vacated by the case must be treated as a contact. Susceptible contact Anyone born from 1 January 1969 who has not had measles infection or has not been fully vaccinated for their age. Anyone born between 1969 and 1981 who only received a single dose of measles vaccine between the ages of 10 and 15 months (because of possible interference from the mother’s antibodies). Acceptable presumptive evidence of immunity Date of before 1 January 1969 (they are presumed to be immune following exposure to the wild virus). Documentation of immunity or previous infection. Documentation of two doses of measles vaccine. If in doubt, vaccinate as there are no undue effects from vaccinating an individual who is immune. Prophylaxis For susceptible contacts, consider the use of MMR vaccine, human normal immunoglobulin (HNIG) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as described in the Immunisation Handbook 2011. There is some evidence that a single dose of (MMR) vaccine, when given to an unvaccinated person within 72 hours of first contact with an infectious person, may reduce the risk of developing disease. HNIG is available from the New Zealand Service and can be obtained by contacting the local hospital blood bank.
communicable-disease-control-manual-2012.docx