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JACKSON, MS (WLBT) – The Mississippi Department of Health concluded its investigation of a measles's potential exposure of a traveler from Tennessee to Mississippi between April 9 and 11.
The MSDH follow-up survey did not reveal any cases of measles in Mississippi exposed to this traveler.
"The incubation period of measles development resulting from this traveler's exposure is over. Any potential exposure to measles would have already caused the onset of symptoms, "said MSDH Health Director Dr. Thomas Dobbs. "We are grateful that, thanks to our vaccination laws, the Mississippians have been protected from infection. More than 99 percent of Mississippi school-aged children received a full dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. "
Dobbs spoke of the current presence of several measles outbreaks in the country and in other countries, and that measles is spreading rapidly in some areas due to unvaccinated groups.
"It could easily happen again, so it's important for all Mississippians to be up-to-date on measles immunization to avoid future risks," he said.
Measles is a serious respiratory disease of the lungs and respiratory tract that begins with a high fever, followed shortly thereafter by a cough, a runny nose and red eyes. From the third to the seventh day of the disease, an eruption of small red spots appears. The rash starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body. Symptoms usually appear about 11 days after exposure, in a range of seven to 21 days.
According to MSDH, measles spreads when a person infected with the measles virus breathes, coughs or sneezes. It is very contagious because the virus persists in a room where a person with measles has spent two hours. Measles can be serious. This can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and death. Young children have a higher risk of complications, especially those younger than 12 months who are too young to receive measles vaccine.
For more information on measles, click here.
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