Okmulgee County Health Department Providing Free Vaccines Against Measles After Case Confirmation



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OKMULGEE COUNTY – The Okmulgee County Health Department responds to a confirmed case of measles by providing free vaccines to people in need. At present, there is a confirmed case in the state.

Health officials said anyone at the St. Francis Emergency Room in Glenpool on May 11 from 8:00 am to 11:15 am should call their county's health department.

The Okmulgee County Health Department is working with state health authorities to investigate the first case of measles in Oklahoma since last May.

The person with the virus, who lives in Okmulgee County, traveled to the United States and around the world before ending up in the St. Francis Glenpool Emergency Department.

"There are parts of the world where these diseases still exist in greater numbers than we had the habit of doing. So traveling abroad is a risk factor, "said Leslie Vick, health educator.

The United States has had the highest number of measles cases since 1994.

"About 90% of the US cases reported so far are about people who have not been vaccinated or are not sure about their immunization status," Vick said.

The Okmulgee Department of Health says it's unclear how many people were potentially exposed to measles on May 11th. But Vick said the virus could stay in the air until two hours after the departure of a person with measles.

"It sounds like a shock. Because it's something – I'm in my fifties now – so that's something I have not heard of since I was a kid, "said Smith.

While Smith is in shock, this does not prevent him from enjoying the first day of summer vacation with his six-year-old daughter Helen, who, he says, is vaccinated.

"She has caught up with all her blows and tricks," Smith said.

The Ministry of Health said children should not receive measles vaccine before their first birthday. Until then, officials said it was important for every adult in baby's life to receive the vaccine.

The state health department said the first person to see the symptoms of measles was 7 days after exposure, but that one could only see the symptoms 21 days after l & # 39; exposure. If you think you have measles, call your health care provider before introducing yourself.

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