SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah, Feb. 7, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — A case of measles in Salt Lake County — the first reported since 2011 — has been diagnosed in a patient who had been vaccinated, and who had traveled outside of the United States.
People in Salt Lake, Utah and Davis Counties who may have had contact with the infected resident have been notified by their respective health departments. and encouraged to get all related vaccinations, according to information released by the Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD).
The general public is at minimal risk of being exposed to the infected person, according to a news release from the department.
Measles symptoms include a fever of 101 degree or higher, a cough, runny nose and a rash that spreads to cover the body. The rash usually occurs within two weeks of exposure.
The virus is transmitted by respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, and is so contagious that over 90 percent of people in close contact with an infectious person will get the disease if they’re not immunized, the news release states.
Other complications potentially can include ear infections, pneumonia and miscarriage. Although it is rare, measles is still a potentially deadly disease.
If you develop symptoms, the SLCoHD asks that you alert your healthcare provider.
It is important that you do not visit a physician’s office, emergency room, lab or any medical clinic without first calling the facility and informing medical experts of your exposure to measles, the SLCoHD news release states. The information will enable the facility to take the necessary precautions to protect other individuals from possible exposure.
“While over 90 percent of children in Utah schools and childcare facilities are adequately vaccinated, there are still children who are not protected,” said Dr. Dagmar Vitek, SLCoHD medical director.
“And while measles is not widespread in the U.S., cases can occur when unvaccinated — and in rare cases like this one, vaccinated — people visit other countries where measles is more prevalent. Once an infected person comes into a community, it quickly spreads to those who have not been vaccinated.”
Measles is in almost all cases a vaccine-preventable disease. Children should get two doses of the vaccine and adults who may not have been immunized should contact their doctor to see if they need the vaccine, according to SLCoHD information.
It is especially important for pregnant women, infants and people with weakened immune systems to be protected because they may develop more severe illness. Measles vaccine, which has been commonly used for more than 50 years, can safely and effectively prevent this disease.
“Being fully vaccinated against measles does more than just protect the person who receives the vaccination,” Vitek said. “It also protects their family and friends, including children who may be too young to be vaccinated, and helps to limit the spread of disease in the community.”
