Child diagnosed with measles in SLO county
On Wednesday, the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department confirmed a second case of measles in SLO county.
Health officials say this second measles patient is a child who had contact with the first measles adult patient. The child was too young for vaccination against measles.
The Public Health Department has already quarantined several people who had contact with the first measles case patient. Officials say the quarantine can help “limit the spread of disease in the population.”
“This second case of measles highlights the importance of vaccination to protect our most vulnerable community members,” said County of San Luis Obispo Deputy Health Officer Dr. Christy Mulkerin. “By vaccinating ourselves and our families,
HOW IS MEASLES SPREAD?
Per the San Luis Obispo Public Health Department:
Measles is spread through the air from person to person through coughing or sneezing. The symptoms of measles generally appear about seven to 14 days after a person is infected. Measles typically begins with high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis). Two or three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out. It starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are usually contagious for about nine days, including the four days before their rash starts, the day of rash onset, and ending four days after.
SERIOUSNESS OF THE VIRUS
Measles can be serious, especially for young children. It can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death. People in the United States still get measles, but it is not very common because most people in this country are protected against measles through vaccination. However, measles is still common in other parts of the world, including many countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa. Every year, unvaccinated people get measles while they are abroad and bring the disease into the United States and spread it to others.
Source: San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department
PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ADVOCATE VACCINATION
Measles can spread quickly in communities where people are not vaccinated, which is why it is so important to be up to date on vaccinations, including before traveling abroad. People who have had measles in the past or who have been vaccinated against measles per Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations are considered immune. Those who are unsure of their vaccination status should check with their doctor to determine if they need to receive the vaccine. If you are ill, and are concerned you may have measles, you should contact your doctor by phone first before going to their office so measures can be taken to prevent possible spread to others.
Source: San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department
LINKS
For more information about measles, please visit www.cdc.gov/measles.
