Measles and mumps among service members and other beneficiaries of the U.S. Military Health System, January 2007-December 2014.

Measles and mumps are highly communicable infectious diseases whose causative viruses are spread through airborne droplets and infected surfaces. Individuals at highest risk are infants and unvaccinated individuals. Despite effective vaccines, there have been recent increases in incidence in the U.S. of both infections. During the surveillance period, there were 14 confirmed measles cases and 99 confirmed mumps cases among U.S. military members and other beneficiaries of the U.S. Military Health System. Only one of the confirmed cases of measles was in a service member. Children aged 5 years and younger accounted for the greatest proportion of confirmed measles cases (50.0%); the greatest proportions of confirmed mumps cases were for children aged 1-5 years and adults aged 26-30 years (22.2% and 17.2%, respectively). California had more cases of both measles and mumps than any other state. Recent trends in measles and mumps in civilian populations in the U.S. highlight the importance of primary and booster vaccinations.