Whole-Genome Sequencing During Measles Outbreaks

measles viruses is an important compo-nent of laboratory-based surveillance for measles virus. The genetic information can classify measles viruses as endemic or imported and can help map the trans-mission pathways of the virus. Since viro-logic evidence demonstrating the absence of an endemic genotype of measles virus is one of the key criteria for verification of measles elimination [1], adequate viro-logic surveillance must be conducted on a global scale. The current recommenda-tion is to obtain appropriate samples for viral genotyping from at least 80 % of out-breaks [2]. In addition, sequence analysis is currently the only method available to con-firm measles vaccine–associated rash and fever. Distinguishing between reactions to vaccine and cases caused by wild-type virus is an important part of laboratory support for outbreak investigations [3]. Virologic surveillance is performed by the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s