Important Information about MEASLES



Physicians: Report suspected cases of measles to Kitsap Public Health at (360) 728-2235 upon suspicion and before discharging or transferring patient.


 

What is Measles?

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that causes fever and rash. The rash typically starts on the face and upper neck, then spreads down the body. Measles spreads very easily from person to person. The virus lives in the nose and throat of an infected person, and is spread through coughing and sneezing.

The measles virus can remain in the air of a room for up to two hours. This means that if you're not immune, you can get measles if you're in the same place as someone who has the virus even if that person doesn't cough or sneeze directly on you. The measles virus can also survive on objects for about two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes on them. If someone else touches that contaminated surface, then touches their eyes, mouth, or nose, they can become infected with measles.

Measles can cause complications such as ear infection, hearing loss, pneumonia, seizures (brain swelling), brain damage, and even death.

Measles in Washington State

As of April 2, there have been eight cases of measles confirmed in Washington State, including five in Clallam County, two in Grays Harbor County and one in Whatcom County. A person with measles also traveled through King County.

While there have been no cases identified in Kitsap County, it is important for Kitsap County residents, especially parents, school staff and childcare providers, to be vigilant for symptoms of measles in the next few weeks, and follow these instructions to help avoid its spread:

1. Call a medical provider immediately for advice if the following symptoms occur. Don't bring a potentially ill person into the provider's office without calling them first for special instructions.

  • A rash on your body that started on the head or face, and has spread downward to the trunk and extremities, and/or overlaps with a fever or any symptoms listed in C below.
  • A temperature at or above 101.0 degrees Fahrenheit (or 38.3 degrees Centigrade), and
  • One or more of these symptoms: cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes (or pink eye)

2. As always, to prevent spreading any illness, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve, not your hand.
3. Wash your hands frequently with warm water and plenty of soap –rub them together long enough to sing "Happy Birthday" twice.
4. If you are feeling ill, stay home so others will not be exposed to your germs.
5. Ensure that you and your family have received the recommended vaccinations against measles. Check with your healthcare provider about how many doses you and your family need.


People at high risk for measles include:

  • Persons who have not been vaccinated against measles
  • Infants less than 1 year of age (before they are vaccinated against measles)
  • Pregnant women who have never had measles or the measles vaccine
  • Persons with weakened immune systems
  • Persons who were vaccinated with a type of vaccine that was available from 1963-1967 and have not been re-vaccinated

MEASLES (MMR) VACCINATIONS

Measles can be prevented through vaccination with the MMR vaccine. It combines measles vaccine with the vaccines for mumps and rubella.  Kitsap Public Health offers low- or no-cost immunizations for adults and children.

Measles Symptoms:

The symptoms of measles generally appear about seven to 14 days after a person is infected. Measles typically begins with:

  • High fever
  • Red, watery eyes
  • Cough
  • Runny nose
  • Tiredness

The rash usually begins on the face a few days after the first symptoms. The rash begins as flat red spots on the face at the hairline and spreads rapidly down the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots, and spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body. When the rash appears, the person's fever may spike to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

The illness lasts seven to 10 days. People can spread measles from about four days before the rash appears until four days after the rash onset.

child with measles

Photo Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, Red Book Online Visual Library

More photos of measles symptoms can be seen here.

Additional information about Measles is available from the Washington State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

Washington State Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

Measles Information for Physicians & Clinics

Information for media


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