• Clinical and research laboratory workers may be exposed to the measles virus during outbreaks or when their work involves materials containing the virus.

Workers in clinical and research laboratories may be exposed to infectious materials containing the measles virus. Clinical laboratory workers’ exposure risks are increased during outbreaks when they are most likely to encounter throat swabs and blood samples from infectious patients. Research laboratory workers are most at risk of occupational exposure whenever their work involves materials containing the virus. These hazards are amplified when work tasks involving measles virus generate aerosols and/or are performed outside of biosafety cabinets (practices that should be avoided; see the Laboratory Workers guidance on the Control and Prevention page).