Measles confirmed in unvaccinated Montgomery County child; others may have been exposed

The measles vaccine is safe and highly effective at preventing measles.

For individuals who are properly immunized against measles, the risk of getting the disease is minimal. Individuals who believe they were exposed should:

• Review their immunization and medical records to determine if they are protected against measles
• Consult with their health care provider about receiving measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunization if they have not had measles infection or received the measles immunization previously. Contact and notify their health care provider as soon as possible about a potential exposure if they are pregnant, have an infant (child under the age of 1 year old), have a weakened immune system, and/or are not vaccinated
• Monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash, cough, congestion or runny nose, or red watery eyes (conjunctivitis) from 7 days to 21 days after their exposure (the time period when symptoms may develop). If symptoms develop, stay at home and call a health care provider immediately

Individuals are considered to be immune to measles if any of the following applies:

• They were born in 1957 or earlier
• They have had 2 doses of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine
• They have had measles disease

The following groups of people are potentially susceptible to measles:

• Infants who are too young to have been immunized (less than one year of age)
• Children who are only partially vaccinated (less than 6 years old)
• Persons who were vaccinated with an inactivated or unknown type of vaccine, which was used from 1963 through 1967, and have not been revaccinated
• Some persons born after 1957 who have only received one dose of vaccine
• Those who have refused vaccination
• Those from areas of the world where there is low vaccine coverage or currently circulating measles
• Immune-compromised persons, such as organ transplant recipients, patients receiving chemotherapy and people living with HIV/AIDS
• Individuals who meet the above criteria or cannot verify their immune status should consult with their primary healthcare provider about the best way to protect themselves from measles

Measles is an extremely contagious virus that lives in the mucus membranes of the nose and throat of infected people. Measles can be transmitted from person to person through coughing and sneezing. If a healthy person breathes the contaminated air or touches an infected surface, then touches their eyes, nose or mouth they can become infected. When an infected person sneezes or coughs, droplets spray into the air and those droplets can contain active and contagious virus which will last in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.

Measles typically begins with a fever (100.4F or higher) that lasts for several days, followed by a cough, runny nose, and watery eyes (conjunctivitis). Two to three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear in the mouth. Three to five days after symptoms begin, a flat red spotted rash appears beginning on face at the hairline and spreads downwards to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. The flat red spots may also be joined by small, raised bumps. Symptoms appear about 7-14 days on average after exposure but can be as long as 21 days.

Measles is preventable with two doses of MMR vaccine which is available at your local healthcare provider or pharmacy. OPH can assist by providing recommendations for testing, outbreak prevention, and disease management.

For questions, call OPH at 610-278-5117. For more information about measles, visit here. To find information about immunizations visit here.