Photo: CDC
Public Health officials in Marion County have confirmed one new case of measles and identified one presumptive case. The confirmed case involves an unvaccinated child who was diagnosed on July 23. The presumptive case is in the same household as a previously confirmed measles case. A presumptive case means the individual has symptoms consistent with measles, but the diagnosis has not been confirmed through laboratory testing.
The first confirmed case of measles in Marion County was announced on June 17, 2024. To date, all cases have involved unvaccinated individuals, ranging in age from 3 to 43 years. There is no known connection between any of the confirmed cases, and no public exposure has been identified. Public health officials are actively investigating these cases.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world, and cases are on the rise in the U.S. and other countries. As of July 11, 2024, the CDC has reported 167 measles cases in the U.S., with 84% of these cases involving individuals who were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. In comparison, there were 58 measles cases reported in the U.S. in 2023.
“Measles is highly contagious and easily transmitted. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room,” said Marion County Public Health Officer, Dr. Caroline Castillo. “The best way to protect your family from measles is to get vaccinated.”
Most people receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine during childhood, which greatly reduces the risk of getting measles. However, unvaccinated individuals are at much higher risk if exposed to the virus.
Measles symptoms usually appear 7-21 days after exposure and include:
- Fever
- Rash
- Cough
- Red, watery eyes
Common complications include ear infections, lung infections and severe diarrhea. Although rare, a more severe complication is swelling of the brain. According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles require hospitalization.
If you think you or someone in your household has measles:
- Stay home and avoid public places such as work, school, and stores
- Do not invite visitors to your home if someone has a fever or rash
- Do not visit a medical office without calling ahead. Call your healthcare provider or urgent care center to arrange a plan for your visit. This is to prevent the spreading of the virus to others.
Individuals are considered immune to measles if any of the following apply:
- Born before 1957
- Diagnosed with measles in the past
- A blood test confirms immunity
- Received two doses of the measles vaccine.
Source: Marion County Health Department