LEE COUNTY – Lee County health officials are keeping a watchful eye on the increase of measles diagnoses in the state.
Two additional confirmed cases in Iowa occurred Wednesday, one in an eastern Iowa man who had been vaccinated.
Lee County Health Dept. Administrator Michele Ross said the county is on higher alert due to the risks from the outbreak across the country, which is now more than 1,170.
“Although we are not at pandemic levels, we are on higher alert due to the risks from this outbreak and how highly contagious the measles virus is,” she wrote in an email to Pen City Current Wednesday.
“It’s important to do what we can now to prevent measles becoming even more endemic in our states and stopping additional exposures. As our state medical director, Dr. Robert Kruse says, “the best time to prevent measles is before an exposure occurs and the best tool we have is getting the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.”
The vaccinated man who contracted the disease is an anomaly, Ross said, and she added MMR boosters are not recommended
“Unfortunately, no vaccine is 100% effective but the MMR vaccine is our best defense for prevention of measles. The first MMR dose is typically given at 12-15 months of age and the second dose is given at 4-6 years of age. Once an individual receives both doses, additional doses are not recommended.”
Ross said people should check their vaccine status and to discuss the issue with medical providers to see if a vaccine is warranted based on age, health, and possible immunity.
LCHD can check vaccine statuses for those that believe their records are on file with the county. Health officials can also look up records in the Iowa Immunization Registry Information System (IRIS).
Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus:
•It can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children.
•Measles spreads through the air when a sick person coughs or sneezes.
•The virus can stay in the air for 2 hours after a person with measles leaves the space.
•It is so contagious that about 9 out of 10 people who come near a person with measles will also become infected if not vaccinated
•The best way to prevent measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
•Anyone who is not vaccinated is at risk of measles infection and severe complications.
Recognizing measles symptoms and getting appropriate medical care is important to help prevent spread of the virus and to prevent severe complications.
Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Common measles symptoms include:
•High fever (may spike to more than 104°F)
•Cough
•Runny nose
•Red and/or watery eyes
•Rash (breaks out 3-5 days after symptoms begin)
Measles can cause severe health problems, including:
•Pneumonia
•Swelling of the brain (encephalitis)
•Possibly even death
If someone in your family has measles symptoms:
•Keep them away from family members who are not sick.
•Everyone in the house should stay home to not get your neighbors or people outside of your home sick.
•Call a doctor or hospital right away to let them know someone in your home may be sick with measles. They will give you instructions on what to do next.
If the person who is sick gets rapidly worse, or has any of the symptoms listed below, take them to the emergency department of a hospital immediately. DO NOT WAIT.
•Trouble breathing (or breathing faster than normal)
•Pain when breathing or coughing
•Dehydration (dry nose and mouth, urinating less, crying without making tears)
•Fever or headache that will not stop
•Confusion, decreased alertness, or severe weakness
•Blue color around the mouth, low energy, or difficulty feeding (for young children).
Have someone call the hospital ER department before you arrive. Let the hospital know a person who may be sick with measles is coming.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here