DermWorld Academy Insider: New measles resource center provides members with up-to-date information

May 8, 2025

The AAD recently launched a new measles resource center. The resource center was developed by the Academy’s Emerging Diseases Task Force and includes information about the history and current status of measles, clinical information about the disease, resources for preparing your office, and vaccine information. It can help dermatologists treat patients affected by the current measles outbreak.

In this exclusive DermWorld Academy Insider interview, Esther Freeman, MD, PhD, FAAD, Misha Rosenbach, MD, FAAD, and Carolyn Goh, MD, FAAD, chair, deputy chair, and member of the EDTF, respectively, discuss the new measles resource center, what members can expect to learn, and why members should make use of it.

DermWorld: What is the measles resource center?

Dr. Freeman, Dr. Rosenbach, and Dr. Goh: The measles resource center is a webpage with information that can help our dermatologists better understand and navigate the current measles outbreak. It is the latest addition to the AAD’s site containing updated, evidence-based guidance to help dermatologists understand and navigate the current measles outbreak. This includes basic information about the virus, reference clinical images to help with pattern recognition, guidance for managing cases, vaccination information, and, importantly, information for dermatologists about how to manage cases in terms of exposure to other patients or staff should a patient present to their office with measles.

DermWorld: Why was it developed?

Dr. Freeman: The re-emergence of measles outbreaks is a growing crisis in the United States. Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is now on the rise in the United States due to critical drops in vaccination rates. Many of us never saw measles during our residency training due to prior measles elimination efforts and effective vaccines, so it is important for dermatologists and other clinicians to be able to recognize measles, prepare their practices for possible measles cases in their communities, and provide up-to-date information on vaccines, in particular for patients on immuno-suppressive medications. That is the goal of the resource center.

Dr. Rosenbach: Misinformation and disinformation has fueled a rise in vaccine-hesitancy and reduced rates of vaccination below that which is necessary to provide adequate herd immunity and protect vulnerable, immunosuppressed, and younger patients from measles exposure. While there have been sporadic, small outbreaks intermittently over the past few decades, the current outbreak is larger, growing, and has unfortunately resulted in a number of hospitalizations and deaths. Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases in existence and can have both acute and long-term health consequences. It is also entirely preventable with highly effective and very safe vaccines.

Dr. Goh: Measles has emerged once more with this current outbreak in the U.S. but since it had been mostly eradicated from the U.S., dermatologists may not be as familiar with its clinical presentation and management recommendations. We hope to provide that support through the resource center.

DermWorld: What can members expect to learn from it?

Dr. Freeman: AAD members can access images of different stages of measles, information on where to redirect suspected cases, how to prepare their practices in case a person with possible measles ends up in clinic, and how to discuss vaccination with their staff and their patients, particularly patients who may be immunosuppressed.

Dr. Rosenbach: This is a resource designed by dermatologists (with input from other experts and updated with key information from sources such as CDC, WHO, and others), for dermatologists. This focuses on the cutaneous manifestations, recognition, diagnosis, and coordination with state and local departments of health. It has information about how to manage exposures from the standpoint of a practicing dermatologist.

Dr. Goh: There is information on the current outbreak in the U.S., clinical information on how to recognize measles, how contagious it is, and complications of the disease, as well as vaccines and recommendations for immunocompromised patients, including those who are on biologic therapies that we often prescribe. Importantly, there is information on what to do if you suspect measles in a patient or if any of your staff are exposed.

DermWorld: Why should members make use of it?

Dr. Freeman: The AAD Task Force on Emerging Diseases has collated the latest information on measles in one easy-to-use resource center that touches on the clinical side of the outbreak as well as practice preparedness. As we’ve done with other outbreaks in the past, we will continuously update the content for accuracy and ease of use.

Dr. Rosenbach: Members should make use of it to be able to recognize and diagnose measles quickly, react appropriately to suspect or confirmed cases, and take the best care of their patients and practices. Additionally, there’s a link to a data collection registry for other existing outbreaks — like mpox and drug-resistant dermatophytes — so that as a field we can learn more about measles and other emerging diseases and their skin and broader health consequences.

Dr. Goh: While a lot of these resources may be available on other sites, we have curated what we think is most valuable for our AAD members as fellow dermatologists.