PPE Preparedness for Measles

April 7, 2025  
*Special thanks to Lori Zazarro for compliling the following information

In light of the recent increase in measles activity nationwide and the first confirmed case of measles in our state, we want to ensure we are sharing tools and information that can help protect your staff during suspected case interactions. As a reminder, the first line of defense against measles infection is vaccination. Prior to field work, consider assessing staff for documented evidence of measles immunity. 

In the event of a suspected measles case or close contact:

If there is a potential for suspected cases to seek testing at your health department or for clinical staff to participate in home testing visits, we recommend assessing your current inventory of personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure sufficient stock is available to support response efforts. If a patient is suspected to have measles, it is recommended to adhere to standard and airborne precautions. The following PPE is recommended for each clinical staff member that interacts with a suspected measles case:

• • 1 N95 fit-tested respirator or higher-level respiratory protection (e.g., PAPR)
  • 1 gown
  • 1 pair of gloves
  • 1 pair of eye protection (e.g., goggles, face shield)

A single set per staff member may be sufficient for brief interactions in a well-controlled setting; however, we recommend planning for at least 3 sets of full PPE per clinical staff per suspected measles case to accommodate unforeseen PPE needs, such as multiple patient contacts or prolonged care, staff changes, or potential PPE breaches.

Other considerations include:

• • Checking the expiration dates of stocked N95s and other PPE
  • Ensuring that staff are fit tested and have their appropriate model of respirator available
  • Confirming that PAPRs are charged and well-maintained
  • Verifying that staff are trained in donning and doffing and airborne isolation protocols