Measles Virus
Measles Virus
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET – INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES
SECTION I – INFECTIOUS AGENT
NAME: Measles virus
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Rubeola, Hard measles, Red measles, Morbilli
CHARACTERISTICS: Family Paramyxoviridae, Morbillivirus; 100-250 nm diameter, enveloped; single-stranded RNA
SECTION II – HEALTH HAZARD
PATHOGENICITY: An acute disease with prodromal fever, conjunctivitis, coryza, cough and Koplik spots on the buccal mucosa; red blotchy rash appears in 3-7 days, beginning on the face and becoming generalized, lasting 4-7 days; leukopenia; other symptoms include anorexia, diarrhea, lymphadenopathy, otitis media and lymphoadenopathy; more severe in infants and adults; systemic infection, primary site of infection is the respiratory epithelium of the nasopharynx; bacterial superinfection; case fatality ratemay be as high as 25% but usually less than 0.5% in Canada
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Common in children (90% infected) prior to immunization; endemic in large metropolitan areas, epidemic every 2 years; sporadic and severe in small areas; immunization reduced incidence by 99%; now limited to preschool children, teenagers, young adults and those refusing immunization; resurgence of disease between 1989-1991 attributed to low vaccination coverage; occurs primarily in late winter and early spring
HOST RANGE: Humans
INFECTIOUS DOSE: 0.2 units (intranasal spray)
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: By droplet spread or direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected persons; less commonly by airborne spread or indirect contact with freshly infected articles; in closed areas infections have been documented for up to 2 h after source of infection has been removed; one of the most readily transmitted diseases
INCUBATION PERIOD: 8-13 days, usually 10 days form exposure to onset of fever; 14 days until rash appears; IG given after 3rd day may extend incubation period to 21 days instead of preventing disease
COMMUNICABILITY: Extremely communicable from slightly before the prodromal period to 4 days after appearance of rash; minimal after second day of rash
SECTION III – DISSEMINATION
RESERVOIR: Humans
ZOONOSIS: None
VECTORS: None
SECTION IV – VIABILITY
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Not affected by antibiotics
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to many disinfectants – 1% sodium hypochlorite, 70% ethanol, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Rapidly inactivated by heat (30 min at 56° C) or light
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Aerosol remains infective at least 30 minutes; short survival time (< 2 hours) on objects or surfaces
SECTION V – MEDICAL
SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms and serology for rise in antibody titre
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: None
IMMUNIZATION: Live attenuated vaccine recommended for all persons born after 1957 unless immune or contraindicated
PROPHYLAXIS: Live vaccine, if given within 72 hours of exposure; IG within 6 days for susceptible household contact, infants, or those for whom vaccine is contraindicated
SECTION VI – LABORATORY HAZARDS
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: 1 reported case up to 1974
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Nasopharyngeal aspirates, blood, conjunctiva, urine
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Accidental parenteral inoculation, droplet exposure of the mucous membranes
SPECIAL HAZARDS: None
SECTION VII – RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices, containment equipment and facilities for activities involving known or potentially infectious clinical materials or cultures
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when direct contact with infectious materials is unavoidable; gloves and gown (tight wrists and ties in back) when working in a biosafety cabinet
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Procedures that are likely to generate aerosols should be conducted in a biosafety cabinet
SECTION VIII – HANDLING INFORMATION
SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing, gently cover spill with paper towels and then 1% sodium hypochlorite, starting at perimeter and working towards the centre; allow sufficient contact time (30 min) before clean up
DISPOSAL: Decontaminate before disposal; steam sterilization, incineration, chemical disinfection
STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled
SECTION IX – MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Date prepared: March, 2001
Prepared by: Office of Laboratory Security, PHAC
Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Material Safety Data Sheet are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and this information may not be completely up to date.
Copyright © Health Canada, 2001
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