A Tennessee man with measles spent time in Knox County while he was contagious

The man from eastern Tennessee who contracted measles is not a resident of Knox County, but he spent time here while it was contagious, said officials. officials.

In an interview with News Sentinel on Tuesday, Dr. Martha Buchanan, Director of the Knox County Health Department, provided new details on the first – and only case to date – measles to be confirmed this year in Tennessee .

"What we do know is that during the infectious period, which lasts about eight days, he was sometimes in Knox County," Buchanan said. "As no matter who else lives near here, they come and go outside Knox County.They come here for their work and work, and then go home." them in another county.It was inside and outside Knox County during this period of contagion. "

Buchanan confirmed that the man with measles is the same one who traveled to Mississippi earlier this month. Officials held a press conference to warn the public, claiming that the unvaccinated man had gone to Hattiesburg from 9 to 11 April and that he had spent time in two fast-food restaurants. food and in a shopping center.

Buchanan asked state officials what were the dates of this man's presence in Knox County and where he had gone, stating that the Knox County Department of Health was not in charge. not the investigation because the man resided in another county. The officials did not specify which county.

The Tennessee Department of Health declined to comment on Tuesday.

"As I mentioned yesterday, the investigation is ongoing and we can not provide any additional information yet," wrote Elizabeth Hart, spokesperson for the Department of Health 's health. State, in an email. "We will update the general public if new information becomes available."

State officials previously said that they were working contact more than 600 people who may have been exposed to the highly contagious disease related to the Tennessee case. This figure includes residents of other states, as well as an unspecified number of people who could have been exposed in Knox County.

National increase in measles cases

The case of Tennessee has been confirmed in the midst of a resurgence of measles cases across the country. As of Friday, 626 cases had been reported in 22 states in 2019, the second highest since the disease was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. diseases. A total of 667 cases were reported in 2014, a figure that is likely to be exceeded in the coming weeks.

The growing number of cases has been fueled in part by the anti-vaccination movement, as the majority of people who contract measles have not been vaccinated, the CDC said.

Vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella or MMR is widespread and very effective. Those who do not know if they have been vaccinated should contact their doctor or the local health department, Buchanan said. Health departments carry the vaccine and can help people check their immunization status, she added.

The Knox County Health Department offers vaccination to children and adults. Most insurance policies cover the MMR, but it is available to uninsured children at no cost to parents. For adults, the vaccine costs $ 79 plus $ 15 in administration fees, but the health department will charge for insurance.

Buchanan said the department is reaching out to people who may have been exposed to measles via the man from eastern Tennessee to make sure they were vaccinated.

"It's not enough that they say," Yes, I have the measles vaccine, "she said." We get from them the documentation of this vaccination status. "

The CDC has long claimed that adults born before 1957 did not need to be vaccinated because they were presumed to be exposed to measles and acquired enhanced immunity. It was also questioned whether adults born in the 1960s to 1980s had received a less effective vaccine or whether they thought they had been vaccinated while they were not.

As a result of the recent increase in the number of cases – including among adults who thought they were immune – the CDC stated that getting vaccinated was not a problem. He said that two doses are effective at about 97% in the prevention of measles, while a single dose is effective at around 93%.

sYMPTOMS

Measles usually starts with a fever, a cough and a runny nose. Tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth before the appearance of a red and uneven rash on the face and its extension down.

Complications may include pneumonia and swelling of the brain. Measles can be fatal, especially in young children.

The virus, which spreads when someone coughs or sneezes, can live up to two hours in the air or on surfaces. Those who breathe contaminated air or touch a contaminated surface may become infected.

A person can transmit the virus before the onset of symptoms. The infectious period lasts about eight days. This starts four days before the outbreak occurs and ends four days later, Buchanan said.

Journalist Kristi Nelson contributed to this story.

Contact Travis Dorman at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @travdorman.

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