The Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP), Annapolis, Md, has developed a special page on its Web site in response to the April 3 CDC Health Advisory on recent measles outbreaks in the United States. The page includes information specific to dental professionals, including photographs of the oral cavities of infected patients.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted by respiratory droplets and airborne spread. Although measles is no longer an endemic disease in the United States, it remains endemic in most countries of the world, including some countries in Europe. Large outbreaks currently are occurring in Switzerland and Israel. Outbreaks in several parts of the United States have been linked to importation from endemic countries.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, during a measles outbreak, additional vaccine recommendations should be considered. Health care facilities should strongly consider recommending one dose of MMR vaccine to unvaccinated health care personnel born before 1957 who do not have serologic evidence of immunity or physician documentation of measles disease.
