To the Editor: Despite high vaccination coverage, Australians remain at risk of measles, mumps and rubella, either while travelling to endemic countries or from domestic exposure to imported cases. Those most at risk include incompletely vaccinated adults and children whose parents choose not to have them vaccinated. Additionally, immunity generated by vaccination (rather than natural infection) may be less protective, especially if only one vaccine dose is received.1,2
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- 2. Vainio K, Steen TW, Arnesen TM, et al. Measles virus genotyping an important tool in measles outbreak investigation in Norway, 2011. Euro Surveill 2012; 17: 20340.
- 3. Hatchette T, Davidson R, Clay S, et al. Laboratory diagnosis of mumps in a partially immunized population: the Nova Scotia experience. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol 2009; 20: e157-e162.
- 4. Bitsko RH, Cortese MM, Dayan GH, et al. Detection of RNA of mumps virus during an outbreak in a population with a high level of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine coverage. J Clin Microbiol 2008; 46: 1101-1103.
- 5. Aoki Y, Mizuta K, Ikeda T et al. Isolation of vaccine-derived measles viruses from children with acute respiratory infection. Tohoku J Exp Med 2013; 230: 111-115.
We thank the clinicians and laboratory and public health staff involved in the diagnosis, testing and follow-up of these cases.
No relevant disclosures.