As measles cases resurge in the United States, a new program is underway to educate doctors on identifying the once-eliminated disease. Physicians are undergoing specialized training to swiftly diagnose the highly contagious virus, which they may not have encountered in their careers before. A recent publication in the Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians has been issued to refresh healthcare providers on the symptoms and characteristics of measles.

Measles was deemed eliminated in the U.S. back in 2000 due to widespread vaccination efforts. However, recent years have seen a resurgence of isolated measles outbreaks, including one in Wisconsin last year, which affected several individuals in Milwaukee. Due to its rarity in recent times, some doctors may overlook measles as a potential diagnosis when presented with a child exhibiting a rash and fever.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that a single infected person can transmit the virus to up to 10 close contacts given its high level of contagion. Particularly hazardous for children under 5, measles can lead to severe health complications, necessitating early and accurate diagnosis by healthcare professionals. In light of this resurgence, hospitals across the nation are now proactively enhancing their response plans to combat the reemergence of measles in the community.