Measles Outbreak Could Prove Costly for Local Health Departments, Analysis Shows

Although there is currently no estimate for the total cost of the measles outbreak, which has affected at least 112 individuals, an analysis published in the journal Vaccine estimates that this type of large outbreak could cost health departments a median between $4,091 and $10,228 per day. Such outbreaks require nurses and epidemiologists to monitor confirmed and suspected patients for up to 21 days.

• "Spreading Measles Outbreak Also Takes Heavy Economic Toll" (Maron, Scientific American, 2/5).