Synopsis for April 16, 2004

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EST.

1. Effect of Ending an Antitobacco Youth Campaign on Adolescent Susceptibility to Cigarette Smoking — Minnesota, 2002-2003
2. Progress Toward Measles Elimination — Region of the Americas, 2002-2003
3. Measles Outbreak in a Boarding School — Pennsylvania, 2003

Synopsis for April 16, 2004

The findings of this report underscore the need to maintain adequate funding of state anti-tobacco programs to prevent tobacco use among youth.

This study provides early evidence of the possible detrimental public health impact of state cutbacks in paid anti-tobacco campaigns. Information collected from telephone surveys of Minnesota youths ages 12 to 17 found that teens reported being more susceptible to cigarette smoking in less than six months following the elimination of the state’s Target Market youth prevention campaign. Susceptibility to cigarette smoking, an important predictor of youth tobacco use, was defined as a response other than “strongly disagree” to the statement, “You will smoke a cigarette in the next year.” Survey results also showed a steep decline in the percentage of young people aware of the anti-tobacco campaign.

Progress Toward Measles Elimination — Region of the Americas, 2002-2003

Enormous progress has been achieved toward eliminating measles from the Region of the Americas, with the number of cases dropping from approximately 250,000 in 1990 to 105 confirmed cases in 2003, the lowest number ever in the region.

Enormous progress has been made toward eliminating endemic measles transmission in the Region of the Americas. The number of measles cases has declined from approximately 250,000 in 1990 to only 105 confirmed cases in six countries in 2003, the lowest ever number of reported cases in the region. There were 42 cases in the United States last year; 33 were importations from other countries while the remaining nine cases were of unknown origin. Two of the measles cases in the United States resulted in deaths: a 13-year old male and a 75-year old man. These measles-associated deaths underscore the risks from importation of measles.

Measles Outbreak in a Boarding School — Pennsylvania, 2003

Until measles is eradicated elsewhere in the world, the United States can continue to expect imported cases. This emphasizes the importance of following the current recommendation to vaccinate children against measles at 12-15 months of age and again at 4-6 years of age. Health-care providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for measles especially in those who have traveled abroad recently.

Widespread use of measles vaccine has led to a greater than 99% reduction in measles cases in the United States compared with the pre-vaccine era. In 2003, only 42 confirmed cases from several small outbreaks were reported in the United States. In April 2003, CDC assisted Pennsylvania in investigating the largest measles school outbreak in the United States since 1998. The source patient was a 17-year-old student who had received 2 doses of measles vaccine (only about 1% of people who receive two doses of measles vaccine fail to develop immunity). The student had returned to the United States from Beirut, Lebanon, where measles was known to be circulating. The results of the investigation indicated that high coverage with 2 doses of measles vaccine among school-aged children was effective in limiting the size of the outbreak to just 11 cases. The limited size of this outbreak and the rarity of measles school outbreaks highlight the success of state requirements for 2 doses of measles vaccine among school-aged children. Until measles is eradicated elsewhere in the world, the United States can continue to expect imported cases. Health-care providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for measles when examining patients with a febrile rash illness, especially those who have traveled abroad recently.

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This page last reviewed April 16, 2004
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/mmwrnews/n040416.htm

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