1653. Strong Partnership and Effective Communication Between a Tertiary Hospital and a County Health Department Were Critical in Controlling a 2019 Measles Outbreak in Southeast Michigan (SEM)

BACKGROUND: Measles, declared eliminated in the US 2000, is a reemerging vaccine-preventable airborne disease. The 2019 case count (704 as of April 30, 2019) has surpassed the number of 2014 cases (667), the highest since 1994. Many healthcare personnel (HCP) have not seen a case of measles, and this lack of clinical experience may contribute to missed or delayed diagnoses leading to its spread. We describe the processes and measures implemented at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak (B-RO) Michigan in collaboration with the Oakland County Health Department (OCHD) to prevent secondary spread during an outbreak. METHODS: Soon after the initial report of the index case in Oakland County in March, the B-RO epidemiology team connected with OCHD. As both exposed and suspected cases were expected to seek care at B-RO, a one-page informational document was sent to B-RO providers. This document detailed isolation precautions and testing methods, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and contact information. During subsequent days, as measles cases increased, frequent calls between B-RO and OCHD addressed numerous issues, including: media notifications, contact of exposed persons, vaccine and immunoglobulin supply for PEP, safe referral of cases to the EC, and the process of measles specimen submission for testing. As needed, these communications occurred after business hours and during weekends. Serologic testing to confirm measles immunity was ramped up. RESULTS: As of April 30, 41 cases have been confirmed in MI associated with the index case. OCHD facilitated the exposure control for 40 patients, of which 6 came to B-RO during their infectious period (Figure 1). To date, there have been no secondary cases developing in B-RO patients, HCPs or visitors, which may be related to successful engineering controls, appropriate protective equipment, mandatory measles immunity confirmation as condition of Beaumont employment since the late 1980s, institution of furlough procedures, PEP for hospitalized patients, and widespread communications with patients, visitors and HCPs (Figure 2). CONCLUSION: During an outbreak, close healthcare facility and local health department collaboration is essential in rapidly limiting an airborne disease outbreak. [Image: see text] [Image: see text] DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.