Measles has been diagnosed in a child of Larsmo – dozens of people have been exposed | Ostrobothnia

In Larsmo, measles was discovered in a preschool child. The infection was confirmed by measles on Thursday. The child with measles had not been vaccinated.

The child probably suffered from measles during a trip abroad, a measles outbreak taking place in the region of the trip.

Thousands of people have now been exposed to measles. Exposed persons are family members or belong to the nearest circle of the family.

– Until now, this is only one confirmed case. We have no other suspected cases of measles, explains Jakobstad's chief physician Pia-Maria Sjöström.

Works at maximum

During the period of infection, the child was at least at the day care center, at the Karleby hospital emergency and at a general event on Sunday, November 25th.

Thousands of people exposed are either inadequately vaccinated or have not been vaccinated against measles.

At the moment, you are working in the health sector in the Jakobstad region, trying to contact everyone who lived near the child.

– That's fine if we can only manage one case. We are working to get in touch with everyone who has been in contact with the child, "said Sjöström.

If people exposed to the disease are not vaccinated, they will be vaccinated or placed in isolation so that they can no longer transmit the disease.

– If you are vaccinated within 72 hours of exposure to measles, you will probably not be sick.

Contagious illness

The mussel is an exceptionally contagious disease and infected by air. For example, it may be sufficient to stay in the same room as the infected person.

Symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders include high fever, inflammation of the eyes, and difficulty breathing. Three to five days later, the eczema lasts more than a week.

The incubation period between infection and the first symptoms is usually 9 to 11 days, but can vary between 7 and 21 days.

A common sequel is the bacterial infection in the airways. In rare cases, you may suffer from inflammation of the brain.

The risk of complications is greatest in pregnant women, infants less than one year old and immunodeficient persons.

Check your immunization protection

A person with a measles disorder can expose other people to infection four days before the expiration of eczema and four days after its onset.

If you think you have been exposed to measles, start by checking your immunization protection. Two doses of MPR vaccine provide good protection against measles.

People born before the 1970s usually contracted measles and thus benefited from protection against the disease.

If your immunization coverage is inadequate and you do not know if you have had measles, consult your own health center for more detailed instructions.

– It is very important to contact the health center before receiving the reception. Otherwise, there is a risk that the entire reception will be isolated due to the risk of measles, "explains Sjöström.

If, depending on your symptoms, you think you have measles, call one of the following phone numbers:

• Emergency call in case of emergency at the Vasa central hospital at 06-213 1310 or at 06-213 1001
• Jakobstad, Pedersöre, Nykarleby, Larsmo: Monday to Friday in. 8-16 children at the following phone number: +46 6 786 1234 or Nykarleby, at the following phone number: +46 6 786 2701. Other times, please contact the children's department on +46 6 786 2150

Additional vaccination receptions

According to Sjöström, from Thursday 29 November, vaccination receptions will be held daily at the Esse-Kållby hospital reception until the end of the danger.

You can order time for vaccination at 06-786 1234.

The article updated on 29.11 at 16:00 with comments from Pia-Maria Sjöström.