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Measles is on the Rise. Are You and Your Child Protected?

As of April 4, 2011, there have been 15 confirmed cases of measles in Minnesota. Twelve of the cases have been linked to a case that acquired infection in Kenya (13 total), one case acquired infection in Florida and one case acquired infection in India. Cases have ranged in age from 4 months to 51 years old. Five of the cases were too young to receive vaccine, six were of age but were not vaccinated, one was vaccinated and three have unknown vaccine status. There have been eight hospitalizations and no deaths

What is measles?

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that occurs most often in the late winter and spring. It begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days, followed by a cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (pink eye). A rash starts on the face and upper neck, spreads down the back and trunk, then extends to the arms and hands, as well as the legs and feet. After about 5 days, the rash fades the same order in which it appeared.

How can

I catch measles?

Measles is highly contagious. Infected people are usually contagious from about 4 days before their rash starts to 4 days afterwards. The measles virus resides in the mucus in the nose and throat of infected people. When they sneeze or cough, droplets spray into the air and the droplets remain active and contagious on infected surfaces for up to 2 hours.[[In-content Ad]]

How serious

is the disease?

Measles itself is unpleasant, but the complications are dangerous. Six to 20 percent of the people who get the disease will get an ear infection, diarrhea, or even pneumonia. One out of 1000 people with measles will develop inflammation of the brain, and about one out of 1000 will die.

Why is vaccination necessary?

In the decade before the measles vaccination program began, an estimated 3-4 million persons in the United States were infected each year, of whom 400-500 died, 48,000 were hospitalized, and another 1,000 developed chronic disability from measles encephalitis. Widespread use of measles vaccine has led to a greater than 99% reduction in measles cases in the United States compared with the pre-vaccine era.

However, measles is still common in other countries. The virus is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in areas where vaccination is not widespread. It is estimated that in 2006 there were 242,000 measles deaths worldwide-that equals about 663 deaths every day or 27 deaths every hour. If vaccinations were stopped, measles cases would return to pre-vaccine levels and hundreds of people would die from measles-related illnesses.

The best way to prevent measles is for all children to be fully vaccinated on time. Measles can be prevented by being vaccinated with MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine which is recommended at 12 months of age.

What should I do?

Check with your health care provider to make sure you and your child have been vaccinated. Un or underinsured children under 19 years of age may qualify for no or low cost vaccination.

Cass County Public Health offers Minnesota Vaccines for Children (MNVFC) at various county locations at low or no cost for qualifying children under age 19. The following clinics are scheduled in April:

Pine River; April 6, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Pine River Family Center, 245 Barclay Avenue.

Remer; April 13, 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m.

Northland Alliance Church, 2 3rd St SE.

Pillager; April 19 10-Noon and 1-2:30 p.m.

Pillager Family Center, 305 Fir Avenue West.

Walker;April 26, 9-11 a.m., Cass County HHVS Building, 400 Michigan Avenue West.

For more information You may call 218-547-1340 or visit our website at: http://www.co.cass.mn.us/hhvs/health/immunization.html . For updates on the measles outbreak, visit the Minnesota Department of Health online at [email protected].

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