Delaware County Public Health: Rise in National Measles Cases Raise Local Concern

Cases of measles are on the rise within the United States. 

The Centers for Disease Control says the outbreak has now spread to 25 states with a confirmed total of 800 cases. And with these recent cases, Delaware County Public Health says the concern about the spread of measles is high. 

In a press release issued this week, Delaware County Public Health is urging all community members to not take this concern lightly. Local public health officials say it’s more important than ever to ensure everyone is up-to-date on recommended measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines. 

Symptoms of measles include rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation and fever. The impact of measles can be fatal – resulting in severe, sometimes permanent, complications, including pneumonia, seizures (jerking and staring), brain damage and death. Measles is spread through the air and can linger for up to two hours. Due to its high contagiousness, the disease spreads rapidly.

Delaware County Public Health says the good news is that measles is easy to prevent with safe and effective vaccines. A single dose has a 93% effectiveness against measles and two doses have 97% effectiveness. 

Here are several things Delaware County Public Health want residents to keep in mind:

• • Call your healthcare provider immediately if you think you or your child have been exposed to measles.
  • Do not go to the clinic or hospital without calling first if you think you or your child could have measles or have been exposed. 
  • Measles symptoms typically include a high fever (may spike to 104°F or higher); cough; runny nose; red, watery eyes; and a rash which breaks out 3-5 days after other symptoms begin. Symptoms present 7-14 days after a measles infection.
  • Get vaccinated. Call your healthcare provider today to make sure you and your child(ren) are up-to-date with the MMR vaccine.

For more information or guidance, call DCPH at 563-927-7551 or contact your primary healthcare provider. For more information about measles, prevention and the latest outbreak statistics, go to cdc.gov/measles.

press release courtesy of RMC