PIERRE — The South Dakota Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of measles that occurred in Mitchell. In addition, a case of measles has been reported in Sioux Falls bringing the total number of cases reported to 14.
As measles has rarely been seen in South Dakota the following information is being provided to educate parents about measles and what parents can do to protect their children. Information in this guidance was adapted from material developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Immunization Action Coalition, and the Washington and Ohio States Department of Health.
What parents should do now
Parents should review the immunization records of their children and identify those who are not up-to-date with their measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses of MMR are required for school entrance. It is advised to vaccinate your children if there is not a medical contraindication. If your child is not vaccinated and a case of measles occurs in the school, your child will be excluded until 21 days after rash onset in the last case of measles.
What causes measles?
Measles is caused by a virus.
How does measles spread?
Measles is spread from person to person through the air by infectious droplets; it is highly contagious.
How long does it take to show signs of measles after being exposed?
It takes an average of 10-12 days (range 7-21 days) from exposure to the first symptom, which is usually fever. The measles rash doesn’t usually appear until approximately 14 days after exposure, two to three days after the fever begins.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite, conjunctivitis, and a rash. The rash usually lasts five to six days and begins at the hairline, moves to the face and upper neck, and proceeds down the body.
How serious is measles?
Measles can be a serious disease, with 30 percent of reported cases experiencing one or more complications. Death from measles occurs in 2 to 3 per 1,000 cases in the United States. Complications from measles are more common among very young children (younger than 5 years) and adults (older than 20 years).
What are potential complications of measles?
Diarrhea is the most common complication of measles (occurring in 8 percent of case-patients), especially in young children. Ear infections occur in 7 percent of reported case-patients. Pneumonia, occurring in 6 percent of reported case-patients, accounts for 60 percent of measles-related deaths. Approximately one out of one thousand infected persons will develop acute encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. This serious complication can lead to permanent brain damage. Measles during pregnancy increases the risk of premature labor, miscarriage, and low-birth-weight infants, although birth defects have not been linked to measles exposure. Measles can be especially severe in patients with compromised immune systems. Measles is more severe in malnourished children, particularly those with vitamin A deficiency. In developing countries, the fatality rate may be as high as 25 percent.
How long is a person with measles contagious?
Measles is highly contagious and can be transmitted from four days before the rash becomes visible to four days after the rash appears.
For additional information about measles, visit the South Dakota Department of Health website at http://ift.tt/1LwEr1G or the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.
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