BC Drug and Poison Information Centre - Poison Control Service 1.800.567.8911           

Measles case definition

 

Confirmed Case

Measles compatible illness and laboratory confirmation of infection in the absence of recent (i.e. within the previous 28 days) immunization with measles-containing vaccine. Lab confirmation may be determined by:  

    • Isolation of measles virus from an appropriate clinical specimen OR
    • Detection of measles virus RNA  OR
    • Seroconversion or a significant (e.g. fourfold or greater) rise in measles IgG titre between acute and convalescent sera OR
    • Positive serologic test for measles IgM antibody using a recommended assay in a person who is either epidemiologically linked to a laboratory- confirmed case or has recently travelled to an area of known measles activity OR
    • Clinical illness1 in a person who is epidemiologically linked to a laboratory-confirmed case  

Clinical / Probable Case
Clinical illness1
in the absence of appropriate laboratory tests and not epidemiologically linked to a laboratory-confirmed case  

Suspect Case

All of the following: 

    • Fever ≥ 38.3° C       
    • Cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis.         
    • Generalized maculopapular rash of any duration.

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1
Clinical illness is characterized by all of the following features:       

    • Fever 38.3° C or greater        
    • Cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis        
    • Generalized maculopapular rash for at least 3 days

 

Last Updated: May 31, 2011