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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. 

Laboratory confirmation may be determined by:

  • Isolation of measles virus from an appropriate clinical specimen OR
  • Detection of measles virus RNA OR
  • Significant 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 illness in a person who is epidemiologically linked to a laboratory-confirmed case  

Probable case

Clinical illness in the absence of appropriate laboratory tests and not epidemiologically linked to a laboratory-confirmed case and with recent travel to an area of known measles activity.

Suspect case

All of the following: 

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

Definition of clinical illness

Clinical illness is characterized by all of the following features:       

  • Fever of 38.3° C or greater        
  • Cough, coryza or conjunctivitis        
  • Generalized maculopapular rash for at least 3 days
SOURCE: Measles ( )
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