CCIC Provider Education: Measles: Clinical Overview & The Current Outbreak
Presented by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Lisa Miller, MD, MSPH, Communicable Disease Epidemiologist
Lynn Trefren, MSN, RN, Immunization Section Chief
From January 1 to March 6, 2015, 173 people from 17 U.S. states and the District of Columbia were reported to have measles, including one case in Colorado. Most of these cases (73%) are part of a large, ongoing multi-state outbreak linked to Disneyland in California. In 2014, the United States experienced a record number of measles cases with 23 outbreaks, 644 cases from 27 states reported to CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). This is the greatest number of cases since measles elimination was documented in the U.S. in 2000. The majority of those who got measles were unvaccinated. Measles is still common in many parts of the world, and travelers with measles continue to bring the disease to the U.S. where it can spread in communities not protected by high enough vaccination rates.
This provider education presentation addressed the importance of measles vaccination and how Colorado is monitoring the current outbreak to keep our communities protected.
Objectives:
- Describe the burden of disease from measles infection
- Summarize information about measles vaccination, including recommendations, vaccine safety and vaccine coverage in Colorado and the U.S.
- Discuss the causes and epidemiology of recent and the current measles outbreak in the U.S. and what to expect in the future
About the Presenters
Lisa Miller, MD, MSPH
Dr. Lisa Miller is the Chief of the Communicable Disease Branch and the State Epidemiologist at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. In this role she oversees communicable disease surveillance and control activities for the State, including related Ebola planning and monitoring activities. Dr. Miller received her M.D. degree from the University of Minnesota and a Masters of Science in Public Health degree from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. She is board certified in General Preventive Medicine and is an Adjoint Assistant Professor in the University of Colorado Denver, Department of Pediatrics and School of Public Health.
Lynn Trefren, RN, MSN
Lynn Trefren, RN, MSN has been a nurse for over 35 years. She started her career in a pediatric medical office, and then accepted a position at Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) in their pediatric clinic. Lynn worked at TCHD for more than 20 years, and was a Nurse Manager for a variety of programs including Immunizations & Travel Vaccines, MCH, HCP, and the Core Nursing Program. She has served on a variety of state and national immunization and child health committees. In December of 2014, Lynn was selected for the position of Immunization Branch Chief at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). In her current position, she works with CIIS, the VFC program, and a variety of other public health initiatives.
