In response to the current National measles outbreak, Knox Public Health wants to help reduce the risk of a measles outbreak in our community. Measles is a respiratory disease usually considered a childhood disease; it can be contracted at any age. Generally, preschool children, adolescents, young adults and inadequately immunized individuals comprise the majority of measles cases in the United States.
Measles is very contagious. If one person has it, 90% of those around them will also become infected if they are not protected by the MMR vaccine, which contains vaccines that protect against three viral infections: measles, mumps, and rubella, according to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The MMR vaccine is safe and effective with two doses.
The measles virus is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. According to ODH, the measles virus can live for up to two (2) hours in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People can become infected after breathing contaminated air or touching a contaminated surface and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. Individuals infected with measles can spread the disease up to four (4) days before through four (4) days after rash appears.
Measles symptoms include: high fever (may spike from 103° F to 105° F), cough, runny nose, pink/red, watery eyes, and a red/brown blotchy rash. The rash will appear on the face then spread to trunk and then extremities. Rash and other symptoms usually subside in 7 to 9 days. According to Ohio Department of Health about one (1) out of every five (5) people who gets measles will be hospitalized. One (1) out of every 1,000 people with measles will develop brain swelling due to infection (encephalitis) which may lead to brain damage. 1 to 3 out of 1,000 people with measles will die, even with the best care.
The only way to avoid the measles is to receive the MMR vaccine. Since measles spreads so easily, it is one of the recommended vaccines for all children in the U.S. Children usually receive a dose at age one (1) and other doses before they enter school. Children should receive their first (1st) dose of measles vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age; another dose at 4 to 6 years of age. MMR is generally first given at 12 months of age in the United States, but is sometimes recommended for children as young as six (6) months of age who are traveling outside the United States or could be infected in an outbreak.
Knox Public Health recommends that unvaccinated individuals one (1) year and older to receive the age-appropriate dose(s), of the MMR vaccine to protect themselves and those around them. If you or your family members received two (2) doses of MMR vaccine during the 2014 measles outbreak, you do not need to get anymore vaccines. People who are pregnant or have a weakened immune system should not receive the MMR vaccine.
Thank you for helping us prevent a measles outbreak. Please contact your medical provider or Knox County Community Health Center at 740-399-8008 if you have questions about measles, the MMR vaccination, or would like to schedule a vaccination appointment.
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