Measles Health Alert—UG Public Health Department 2015

Currently, there is a measles outbreak that has been occurring throughout the country. It has been traced to the Disneyland Theme Parks in southern California since mid-December 2014. It is suspected that up to two unvaccinated individuals, who were contagious, had visited at least one of the two parks. The Centers for Disease Control, (CDC) has reported that over100 people in at least 14 states have developed measles as a result related to this outbreak.1 The most recent measles outbreak in the Kansas City metro area occurred in June 2014. Local and State Health Departments responded when six cases were reported during the first week of the month. That number increased to 13 cases by week two.2 There were no cases in Wyandotte County during this outbreak. Wyandotte County has not had any confirmed measles cases since 1998. Measles is a very contagious disease that usually lasts 1-2 weeks. Measles often causes ear infections and pneumonia. Deafness, blindness and seizure disorders are less common. Secondary complications have been reported in small percentages of measles cases and include; but not limited to, meningitis, encephalitis and death.7 Measles is most dangerous for infants, pregnant women, and people with weaken immune systems. Measles is spread when an infected person sneezes, coughs or talks and other people nearby inhale the virus. Touching tissues or sharing a cup used by someone who has measles can also spread it. People with measles can spread the disease starting 4 days before until 4 days after the rash begins. Initial symptoms appear 10–14 days after a person is exposed. The measles virus is able to live for two hours after the infected person leaves a room.3 The earliest signs and symptoms of a person infected with the measles virus are the “Three C’s of Measles”; Conjunctivitis, (red, watery eyes), Coryza, (runny nose), and Cough. Also during this time are fever and Koplik spots (small spots with white or bluish-white centers inside the mouth and on the tongue.4 The incubation period for measles averages 14 days from time of exposure to the onset of a systemic red blotchy rash. Th