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August 14, 2003 Contact: Bonnie Widerburg (503) 731-4180 Technical contacts: Ann Thomas, M.D. (503) 731-4024 Second probable measles case in Corvallis A second probable case of measles has been diagnosed in an international student at Oregon State University, according to public health officials in Benton County and the state Department of Human Services (DHS). The first case was reported on Saturday. "The first patient is recovering and has had no complications, said Charlie Fautin, Deputy Administrator at Benton County Health Department. "This second case was a close contact of the first one. This person had not been vaccinated prior to exposure to the first case, and has voluntarily agreed to be isolated to limit the spread of disease."The second case is being termed probable because the rash is very minimal. It could conceivably represent a rare vaccine reaction (this patient received measles vaccine once the first case was confirmed) but public health authorities are treating it as measles to provide the best protection of the public. Fautin said Benton County is working closely with DHS and officials at Oregon State University to prevent further exposures. "Our goal is contain the disease so it doesn’t spread into the community," said Ann Thomas, M.D., public health physician in DHS. "This is also an opportunity to remind the public that measles has not been eradicated. It can still be a health threat and parents need to protect their children by making sure they have all their shots, including the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella." Measles is highly contagious and is transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes nearby. Typically, symptoms begin about 10-14 days after exposure to an infected person. The first symptoms are usually a cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and fever. A red, blotchy rash that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body, follows these symptoms. Thomas cautioned that persons with a rash illness and a fever should not just "drop in" to their physician’s office or to the emergency room. Thomas said those who have measles are contagious four days before and four days after the rash occurs. "Because measles is very contagious, dropping in on doctors’ offices or emergency rooms can expose dozens of other patients," Thomas said. "We advise anyone who suspects they might have measles to call beforehand and arrange an appointment where other patients will not be exposed." Most children with measles recover without complications, about one in 1,000 persons who gets measles will get encephalitis, according to Thomas. Adults born during or after 1957 who have not had measles or aren’t sure if they have had measles should receive one dose of measles vaccine. In Oregon, children and college students need two doses of measles vaccine, given at least one month apart, to attend school. Adults born before 1957 have probably already had measles and are presumed to be immune. "Health-care workers have been at higher risk of measles in recent outbreaks," said Thomas. "Therefore, they should have proof that they are immune; if unsure, they should consult their infection-control professionals about the need for vaccination." Anyone who suspects measles in a patient should report the suspected case to the patient’s local health department immediately, according to Thomas. |
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