Measles and donating breastmilk

The 2015 nationwide outbreak of measles originating in Disneyland received a lot of media attention and we’re addressing a commonly asked question. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that is easily transmitted between individuals, particularly those spending time together in close quarters, such as in the same household, or in crowded places.

In most cases the disease simply runs its course leaving the host immune to future infections by the virus. In a relatively small percentage of cases, however, serious, potentially life-threatening complications can occur including hearing loss, meningoencephalitis (an infection or inflammation of the meninges and the brain) and others.

How is Prolacta protecting donated milk from measles?

At Prolacta Bioscience, we are committed to provide the safest human milk-based products designed to meet the nutritional needs of extremely premature infants. Therefore, we exercise a stringent level of safety and quality for donated breastmilk. Due to our commitment and the highly contagious nature of the measles virus,

Prolacta Bioscience, and its affiliated milk banks, cannot accept milk donated from a mother who is infected with the measles or who lives with anyone who has measles in her household as the milk may be contaminated with the measles virus and/or potentially transmitted from the mother who is not immune.

Contact your milk bank coordinator

This guideline is to protect the health and well-being of the most fragile patients, premature infants. We appreciate your continued willingness to share your milk and to help us improve outcomes for the most fragile infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Thank you for your understanding and your cooperation.