Child measles case reported in southeast Idaho

A case of measles in a child has been reported from southeast Idaho. The child was an international traveler who had not been vaccinated against measles. The child was seen by health care providers for symptoms of measles and was not hospitalized. The investigation is ongoing.

While infectious, Aug. 7 through Aug. 16, the child traveled through several states, including Wyoming and southeastern Idaho. Southeastern Idaho Public Health is working with healthcare facilities visited by the child to identify potentially exposed workers and other visitors to the facilities.

Because travel history is incomplete, there may be some people who were exposed and have not been identified by public health officials. If you believe you may have been exposed to anyone with measles, call your health care provider and watch yourself for symptoms for 21 days after exposure. Public health officials will monitor people known to have been exposed to the child with measles.

“Measles symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and rash,” said Dr. Christine Hahn, medical director in the Division of Public Health at the Department of Health and Welfare. “Although measles is usually considered a childhood disease, adults can get measles, too, if they are not immune.”

Serious complications can include encephalitis, pneumonia, and, rarely, death. There is no specific treatment for measles. People experiencing symptoms of measles should contact their healthcare provider and not go into clinics, pharmacies, or other healthcare settings without calling ahead so the facility can prepare to reduce the chance of spread.

The best way to protect yourself and your family against measles is being up to date with measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR vaccine is available at many pharmacies and health care providers’ offices. Children should receive their first dose of the vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and a booster shot at 4 to 6 years of age. MMR vaccine is generally first given at 12 months of age in the United States but is sometimes recommended for children as young as 6 months who are traveling outside the United States or who could be infected during an outbreak.