Lateral flow rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) capable of detecting measles-specific IgM antibodies represent a transformative technology for measles surveillance. These tests can be performed at ambient temperature in under thirty minutes, using serum or capillary blood (or potentially, oral fluid) specimens collected at or near the point of contact with the patient. Performed correctly, RDTs achieve sensitivity and specificity comparable to laboratory-based EIAs. RDTs with positive IgM results can also be dried and shipped at ambient temperature to national laboratories for viral RNA extraction and genotyping, supporting molecular epidemiology without separate reverse cold-chain specimen transport. Although rubella surveillance and testing are often integrated with measles, currently, as of late-2026, there are no validated and commercially available RDTs for rubella.

This document provides operational and laboratory guidance for the introduction and use of measles IgM RDTs within a country’s surveillance program. It is intended for epidemiologists, surveillance officers, laboratorians, and public health staff involved in measles case detection, outbreak investigation, and vaccination response.