1. It’s not in Iowa right now. But there are cases of
measles (rubeola) in Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, and South Dakota.
2. Measles is a highly contagious illness that comes on
progressively. For 10 days to two weeks
following exposure, the virus is present but there are no symptoms. A person
with measles can spread the virus to others for about eight days, starting four
days before the rash appears and ending when the rash has been present for four
days. This means that until the rash appears, they may not know they have
measles and they can unknowingly spread the virus. They go to school, to
daycare, to the grocery store, and wherever else life may take them.
3. Symptoms look like a cold - runny nose, cough, and fever.
Pink-eye like conjunctivitis is also a symptom. These come on without the
tell-tale rash so it’s very hard to know for a while what’s going on until the
rash appears that confirms measles. We might not limit activity for
children with those cold-like symptoms until they are too sick to go to school.
But we should. By then, they may have infected others.
5. Do not send your children to school if they are sick. Do
not go to work if you are sick.
6. Call your doctor if you suspect the measles.
7. Anyone can get the measles, not just children. Those who
do not have immunity are at increased risk for getting the measles. Measles can
be prevented through the MMR vaccine. This vaccine is available at Grinnell
Regional Public Health (641-236-2385) and through your physician clinic if they
provide vaccinations.
8. Complications from the measles virus can run from ear
infections and possible hearing loss to pneumonia, bronchitis, and encephalitis
that can lead to death. About 100,000 deaths each year occur from measles and
related infections.
9. Like the mumps and chicken pox, measles was
considered a childhood virus and before the measles vaccine was licensed in 1963,
ne
arly all children under 15 got the measles. It is highly contagious.
10. Thanks to the MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) vaccine, the
number of measles cases in the United States has dropped dramatically since
1963. Measles is still very prevalent in the world. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention says that an estimated 20 million cases of measles
happen worldwide annually.
Bonus: Although they have similar symptoms and similar names, the current outbreak is rubeola, otherwise known as measles.This is not rubella, also known as three-day measles or German measles.
Contact your family physician for more information or Grinnell Regional Public Health, 641-236-2385.
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