Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. Measles lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. Onset of contagion is 48 hours before rash appears Measles begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days, followed by a cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and then a characteristic rash. The virus is spread is through droplet infection so it can spread easily to others through coughing and sneezing. Also, measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed.
Measles Outbreaks
Measles Cases in 2019 – From January 1 to June 6, 2019, 1,022 individual cases of measles have been confirmed in 28 states with one case in Los Angeles County and zero cases in San Diego County. This is the greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since 1992. Cases were mostly seen in vulnerable populations most cases in children less than 5 years of age.
Prevention
Measles was declared eradicated (absence of continuous disease transmission for greater than 12 months) from the United States in 2000. This was thanks to a highly effective vaccination program in the United States, as well as better measles control in the Americas region.
Being fully vaccinated or otherwise protected against measles with two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine provides lifelong protection which is 97-98% effective.
If exposed but vaccinated getting measles titers may be needed to determine whether you are protected from disease If not vaccinated you can get the MMR vaccine within 48-72 hours of exposure.
As usual the best plan is early identification/ detection as well as protection through vaccination.
Call us if you need your vaccination or to update your immunization records