Health officials say it’s not related to the outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico.
Baltimore, Md (KM) The Maryland Department of Health and Howard County health officials say a positive case of measles has been detected in a Howard County resident who traveled internationally. They say this case is not related to the measles outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico.
The Health Department says it’s working on an effort to identify persons who might have been exposed to the disease. Anyone who was at Dulles International Airport’s Terminal A on transportation into the main terminal and in the baggage claim area on Wednesday, March 5th between 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM. or the Johns Hopkins Howard County Center Pediatric Emergency Department on Friday, March 7th between 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM should monitor themselves for any of the symptoms of measles. The Health Department the early symptoms include a fever of over 101 degrees, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes. One to four days after exposure, a red rash develops on the face, and spreads to the rest of the body.
Measles symptoms typically develop 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, and can develop seven days and as long as 21 days after exposure, the Health Department says. . A person with measles is contagious beginning four days before the rash appears until four days after the rash begins.
Persons are immune to the measles if they’ve had two vaccinations against this virus, previously had measles or were born in the United States before 1957.
Health officials say those most at risk for contracting measles are pregnant women, infants less than one year old, and persons who are immune compromised. People in this category who may have potentially been exposed to measles are urged to contact the Howard County Health Department’s Infectious Disease Surveillance and Response Program at 410-313-6284 for additional guidance.
The Maryland Department of Health says those who are not vaccinated or are immune to the virus who were at the locations during possible exposure should monitor themselves for symptoms of measles, and not go to childcare centers, work, school or out in public. They need to contact their health care provider. But they should call their health care provider or emergency room before showing up to give these offices an opportunity to take measures to prevent the spread of this disease.
By Kevin McManus