||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||
In West Texas there is a large measles outbreak. The outbreak is severe and, tragically, one unvaccinated and otherwise healthy school-aged child and an unvaccinated adult died in this outbreak. Cases and outbreaks are popping up around the country, including in Washington state. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, but thankfully there is an immunization that has been proven to prevent the spread.
What is measles and how contagious is it?
Measles is a highly contagious virus. The virus spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, even up to 2 hours after that person has left. Some people think of measles as just a little rash and fever that clear up in a few days. But measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years old.
Are immunizations recommended for everyone?
Vaccination is your best protection. The most common measles vaccine is the combination measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Measles vaccinations have been given for decades and are a safe and effective way to protect yourself and others. Two doses of MMR vaccine are approximately 97% effective at preventing measles cases in exposed people.
Children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, one between 12-15 months old and another between 4 and 6 years old.
It’s never too late to vaccinate. The vaccine can also be given to older children and adults. It’s never too late to change your mind! You’re protecting yourself, your child, and your community, and we appreciate that.
If you are up to date with vaccines, you are very well protected! Vaccines aren’t perfect, but the measles vaccine has a long history of keeping people safe.
If you were born after 1957 and vaccinated before 1968, another dose of the MMR vaccine is a good idea. The older version of the vaccine you likely received doesn’t work as well as the version that is used today. Contact your medical provider or pharmacy to make an appointment. [MT4]
The majority of people born before 1957 are likely to have been infected naturally and therefore are presumed to be protected against measles, mumps, and rubella.
How do I know if I’ve been vaccinated against measles?
Check your family’s immunization status. Parents and guardians can check their child’s immunization status or print their Certificate of Immunization Status at https://myirmobile.com/, or by contacting their medical provider.
If you have questions about the MMR vaccine or any other vaccines, we are happy to answer any questions you may have. Call us at 360-378-4474 to speak with one of our public health nurses.
Where can I get the measles immunization?
Vaccines are provided at no cost to all kids through age 18 in Washington. Call your child’s primary medical provider or visit our HCS website to sign up for an upcoming clinic! Online registration is available for our HCS clinics. If you are unable to schedule online, call our main office to schedule an appointment at 360-378-4474.
Adults needing the MMR vaccine should contact their medical provider or pharmacy to make an appointment.
Is there going to be an outbreak of measles in San Juan County?
Higher vaccination rates = a safer community. Ultimately, we don’t know. However, in the event of an outbreak, a high vaccination rate (think 95+ out of every 100 people vaccinated against measles) is the best way to slow the community spread of disease. Higher vaccination rates help protect not only you, but also those in your community who are unable to be vaccinated, including people with some pre-existing health complications and infants under 1 year old.
What do I do if I think I or my child might have measles?
Measles symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, cough, and a rash all over the body. If you or your child have been exposed, or if you develop these symptoms, call your healthcare provider immediately! Measles is highly contagious, so if you think you may be infected the healthcare clinic will want to take extra precautions before you arrive.
Relevant URLs:
Immunization information and resources:
- Get your immunization records (MyIR)
- Recommended Vaccines by Disease (CDC)
- Vaccine Preventable Adult Diseases (CDC)
- Vaccinate Your Family
- For other vaccine locations in the area, www.vaccines.gov.
Measles information and resources:
Respiratory illness information and resources:
About San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services
San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services is responsible for community and environmental health, mental health and substance abuse programs, senior services, affordable housing projects, and more. The department has staff and offices on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Health & Community Services, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1777/
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International travel can be where one is exposed to measles.
From the CDC:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe
Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles.
Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure or have not had measles in the past and travel internationally.
The majority of measles cases imported into the United States occur in unvaccinated US residents who become infected during international travel.
All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .
Travelers should seek medical care if they develop a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes. Measles is highly contagious.
Travelers with suspected measles should notify the healthcare facility before visiting so staff can implement precautions to prevent spread within the facility.
Measles Global Map:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/images/measles_global_map.png
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing .
The measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace or on a surface after an infected person leaves an area. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected. People can spread measles up to four days before and four days after a rash.
Signs and symptoms of measles include maculopapular rash, high fever, and a cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes.
Measles can be severe in all age groups and can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and death. Several groups are more likely to suffer from measles complications, including children younger than five years of age, adults older than 20 years of age, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis (infection of the brain).
I have contacted my medical provider and Ray’s Pharmacy several times about getting a measles booster (I was born in 1966). I’ve been told, first, that “measles isn’t a problem here,” and then, more recently, that vaccinations are only available for children. “The shots are very expensive.”
So I’m going off island to Safeway in Anacortes to get the MMR booster next week.