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Public health officials urge Massachusetts residents to remain on the alert after alarming reports that suspected cases of measles have now tripled here in the Bay State.
Until this year, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced that he had investigated more than 60 suspected cases of measles, including one confirmed.
"I urge all Massachusetts residents to take this health epidemic seriously," said DPH Commissioner Monica Bharel. "Make sure you have evidence of immunity against measles. If you do not, you should get vaccinated. "
At the same time last year, DPH investigated 21 suspected cases of measles; none has been confirmed.
Massachusetts is one of 22 states reporting suspicious cases at alarming rates. Nationally, there have been over 700 measles cases this year; the highest number of cases reported in the United States since 1994, according to DPH.
According to the World Health Organization, measles has increased by 300% this year compared to last year.
The first symptoms of measles can be misleading, often resembling a cold. Symptoms to watch for include:
- Fever
- red eyes
- Runny nose
- Cough
The measles rash usually appears two to four days after the surface of these initial symptoms.
Patients with measles can be contagious up to four days before the eruption surfaces, and four days after the eruption surfaces.
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