Management of a measles outbreak among Old World nonhuman primates

Abstract

Background and purpose: A measles outbreak in a facility housing Old World nonhuman primates developed over a 2-month period in 1996, providing an opportunity to study the epidemiology of this highly infectious disease in an animal-handling setting.

Methods: Serum and urine specimens were collected from monkeys housed in the room where the initial measles cases were identified, other monkeys with suspicious measles-like signs, and employees working in the affected areas. Serum specimens were tested for measles virus-specific IgG and IgM antibodies, and urine specimens were tested for measles virus by virus isolation or reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results: A total of 94 monkeys in two separate facilities had evidence of an acute measles infection. The outbreak was caused by a wild-type virus that had been associated with recent human cases of acute measles in the United States; however, an investigation was unable to identify the original source of the outbreak. Quarantine and massive vaccination helped to control further spread of infection.

Conclusions: Results emphasize the value of having a measles control plan in place that includes a preventive measles vaccination program involving human and nonhuman primates to decrease the likelihood of a facility outbreak.