2901. Measles in the United States During the Postelimination Era, 2017–2019

Abstract

BackgroundMeasles, a vaccine-preventable viral illness that can cause serious complications, was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000 because of a successful measles vaccination program. Recent years have seen an increase in the number of measles cases and outbreaks. We summarized measles epidemiology in the United States during 2017–2019.MethodsWe reviewed US national surveillance data on confirmed measles cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during January 1, 2017–April 26, 2019. We describe the demographic characteristics, vaccination status, and disease epidemiology of measles cases.ResultsDuring 2017–April 2019, 1,196 measles cases were reported in 37 US States and Washington DC, including 146 (12%) importations from 37 countries; 108 (74%) of importations were US residents returning from travel abroad, of which 60 (56%) were unvaccinated and 31 (29%) had unknown vaccinations status. Among 1,148 cases who were US-residents, the highest incidence of measles was among infants and children aged 6–11 and 12–15 months (112 cases [19 cases/million person-years] and 106 cases [27 cases/million person-years], respectively). Among US-resident cases, 846 (74%) were unvaccinated and 163 (14%) had unknown vaccination status; 777 (68%) were considered to have preventable measles (i.e., were eligible for vaccination but unvaccinated). Among the 1,196 cases, 85 were single cases, and the remaining 1,111 represented 19 two-case chains and 34 outbreaks of 3 or more cases linked epidemiologically; the median outbreak size and duration was 6 cases (range, 3 to 452 cases) and 19.5 days (range, 5 to 205 days). A total of 934 (78%) of the 1196 cases and 13 (38%) of the 34 outbreaks occurred in under-immunized close-knit communities; eight outbreaks are ongoing.ConclusionOutbreaks of measles in the United States result from recurring measles introductions and subsequent measles spread, especially in under-immunized close-knit communities. To sustain measles elimination, it will be necessary to maintain timely routine high coverage with MMR vaccine, improve implementation of pretravel recommendations to minimize importations, and close immunity gaps in communities of US residents who remain unvaccinated.Disclosures All Authors: No reported Disclosures.