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Reports that a person with measles has made at least two stops in Alabama – including one in a Fort Payne restaurant – have added to concerns about the spread of the virus in that state.
This is a real possibility, according to health experts.
Here's what you need to know:
What's going on in Alabama?
The Alabama Department of Public Health announced yesterday that it had learned that a person with a confirmed case of measles had crossed Alabama to travel to Tennessee on April 11th. On the way she had made two stops – D & J Travel Plaza on Highway 28 at Livingston at 2:20 pm and Chick-fil-A on Glenn Blvd. at Fort Payne at 17:54
And it's a big problem because …
These stops raise fears that people from both locations have been exposed to the highly contagious virus. Measles can live up to two hours in the air or on surfaces after an infected person coughs or sneezes and that someone with measles is contagious four days before and four days after the infection. 39, appearance of the rash of the virus. It is transmitted from person to person by coughing and sneezing or touching objects and surfaces that an infected person has coughed or sneezed.
How infectious is measles?
A single case of measles will infect up to 95% of unvaccinated people who are exposed, according to the DPAA, resulting in an average of 12 to 18 additional cases. Up to 30% of infected people have complications related to the disease, especially children under 5 years of age or adults over 20 years old.
What if you were potentially exposed?
ADHD recommends that individuals potentially exposed by the Alabama traveler contact their health care provider before being seen at their office. They also advise potential patients to follow the notification instructions and isolate themselves to prevent the spread of the disease.
What are the symptoms of measles?
The symptoms of measles appear 7 to 14 days after infection.
The first common symptoms include:
- High fever, up to 105 degrees F
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red or watery eyes
Two to three days after the onset of symptoms, an infected person usually develops tiny white spots that appear inside the mouth. Three to five days after the onset of symptoms, the infected person may also develop a rash of red patches on the face that spread to the neck, chest, arms, legs and feet, sometimes topped with small lumps. relief.
The national scene
The Alabama report comes amid concerns about a national outbreak of the disease.
The Centers for Disease Control announced Wednesday that the number of measles cases in the United States was at its highest since the elimination of the disease in 2000. On April 24, 695 cases of measles were reported in 22 states, mainly as a result of some major epidemics – one in the state of Washington and two in New York.
According to the CDC, the most recent outbreaks began when an unvaccinated traveler traveled to a country where measles is prevalent. They are infected and return to the United States and expose members of their community who are not vaccinated.
"When measles is imported into a community with a highly vaccinated population, epidemics do not occur or are usually minimal," said the CDC. "However, once measles is in an unvaccinated community, it becomes difficult to control the spread of the disease."
States with measles
The states reporting measles cases are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York , Oregon, Texas, Tennessee and Washington.
overall
The World Health Organization announced this month that there had been a 300% increase in the number of measles cases worldwide compared to the first three months of 2018.
No case in Alabama yet …
Measles cases have now been reported in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee, and health officials warn that it will likely spread to Alabama.
"We will probably have one or more cases here in Alabama," said William Curry, MD, Monday, senior vice president for population health, UAB. "It's a very contagious and effective virus. Once launched into a vulnerable population, it will spread rapidly. If we have neighborhoods of people who are not immune and we are likely to see more than one case. "
ADPH conducted 211 investigations into possible measles cases in Alabama in the past 12 months; None of the cases turned out to be measles.
Thought to be eliminated in 2000
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, nearly 40 years after the first live measles vaccine was approved. In the decade before vaccination, an average of 549,000 measles cases and 495 measles deaths were reported each year in the United States.
Since 2000, the annual number of cases has ranged from 37 in 2004 to 667 in 2014.
How do you protect yourself from measles?
Two-step vaccination against measles is the most effective way to protect yourself from the disease. The first dose of MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella) is given when a child is between 12 and 15 months old, the second between 4 and 6 years old. Two doses of the vaccine provide protection against the disease in 97% of cases, said the CDC. If the remaining 3% contract measles, they are likely to have a less serious illness and less likely to spread the disease to other people.
Do I need a measles booster?
It's a complicated question and the answer is when and how you were vaccinated. If you were born before 1963, you may have had measles or have been exposed to it and you do not need vaccination.
If you were born between 1963 and 1967, you may have received a less effective form of vaccine. People born during this period should consider receiving a reminder.
Adults born between 1968 and 1989 must ensure that they have received at least one dose of measles vaccine. Those who live in high-risk environments, including people who work in schools, in health care or who travel abroad, are advised to take two doses spaced at least 28 days apart .
What if I do not know my vaccination history?
If you do not know if you have been vaccinated or what type you have received, the CDC recommends that you try to locate your vaccination record. If this is not possible, you should get vaccinated. There is no danger or side effect associated with receiving another dose.
Is there anyone who should not be vaccinated against measles?
Pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, or those who have a fatal neomycin reaction, a component of the vaccine, or a previous dose should not be vaccinated. If in doubt, ask your health care provider.
Is MMR vaccination safe?
Although any vaccination may have adverse effects, a large 2015 study showed that MMR vaccine did not increase the risk of autism spectrum disorders. The researchers analyzed the health records of 95,727 children, including more than 15,000 unvaccinated at 2 years and more than 8,000 still unvaccinated at 5 years. Nearly 2,000 of the children were considered at risk of suffering from autism because they were born into a family with the disorder.
"Consistent with studies in other populations, we found no association between MMR vaccination and increased risk of ASD," the authors of the study wrote. "We also found no evidence that one or two doses of MMR vaccine was associated with an increased risk of ASD in children of older siblings with ASD. "
You can see the report here.
For more information …
Want more information on measles? You can learn more at the CDC here.
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