MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY OF MEASLES-VIRUS

Genetic analysis of viruses associated with recent outbreaks of measle s in the United States indicated that at least four genotypes were pre sent during 1994 and 1995. None of these more recent genotypes were re lated to the genotype responsible for the resurgence of measles cases in the United States between 1989 and 1992. The sequence data confirme d that the majority of measles cases that occurred in the United State s between 1994 and 1995 were the result of international importation o f virus. The data also suggested that transmission of the genotype ass ociated with the resurgence had been interrupted by aggressive control measures. Therefore, molecular epidemiologic studies will provide a p owerful means to measure the success of measles control strategies.