Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads rapidly through humans. The virus can remain active in an area up to 2 hours after someone with measles has left. It is so contagious that 9 out of 10 unprotected people around that person will also get infected.
Currently, there are measles outbreaks in Washington and New York states. There are confirmed exposures that have also occurred in Portland, Oregon.
Symptoms include high fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes. It is typically followed by a blotchy rash that starts at the hairline and then spreads over the rest of the body. A person is infectious 4 days before the start of the rash and up to four days after the rash begins.
Common complications can include ear infections and diarrhea. Ear infections occur in about one out of every 10 children with measles and can result in permanent hearing loss.
Severe complications can include pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). It is estimated that one out of 1,000 children who get measles will develop encephalitis that can leave the child deaf or with mental disabilities.
Measles can cause pregnant women to give birth prematurely, or have a baby with a low birth weight.
Measles can be prevented with the proper dosage of MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella). The first dose is normally given to a child between 12 to 15 months old. It should be followed up with a second dose between 4 to 6 years old. If you were born before 1957, you likely had the measles virus as a child. If you are unsure of your vaccination status or immunity, you can have your blood tested to see if you have immunity present.
If your child is not vaccinated or can show immunity (blood test or lab results verifying previous exposure), your child can be excluded from a child care setting for up to 21 days if exposed to measles. Please read the following for more information:
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Measles and Child Care Settings
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Minimize Measles Transmission Risk in Health Care Settings
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Measles Travel Alert
Links:
Washington – https://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/Measles/MeaslesOutbreak
Clark Co, Washington – https://www.clark.wa.gov/public-health/measles-investigation
Oregon – https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/measles.aspx
New York – https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2170/
Centers for Disease Control – https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html
