Virginia reports first measles case of the year

A baby below the age of 5 has develop into Virginia’s first confirmed measles case of the 12 months, well being officers introduced Saturday, as a nationwide outbreak of the extremely contagious illness continues to unfold.

The Virginia Division of Well being mentioned the kid, who just lately traveled internationally, could have uncovered others to the virus at two Kaiser Permanente medical facilities — one in Woodbridge and one other in Fredericksburg — earlier this month. Officers are working to determine and notify anybody who could have come into contact with the affected person throughout visits to these areas.

The kid, who lives in Virginia’s northwest area — west of Loudoun County and south of Prince William County — has not been publicly recognized. Well being authorities haven’t confirmed the place the kid contracted the virus.

Measles is a viral sickness that spreads via the air when an contaminated particular person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Signs sometimes seem in two phases. The primary consists of fever above 101 levels, runny nostril, watery crimson eyes, and a cough, often inside one to 2 weeks of publicity. The second stage happens a number of days later when a crimson rash spreads from the face to the remainder of the physique. Individuals with measles are contagious from 4 days earlier than the rash seems till 4 days after.

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention reported 800 confirmed measles instances in 25 jurisdictions as of final Thursday. Virginia’s new case had not but been included in that tally.

As state officers issued the alert, the Alexandria Well being Division urged Northern Virginia residents to stay vigilant. These doubtlessly uncovered, not totally vaccinated, or born after 1957 ought to monitor for signs for 21 days. If signs seem, people ought to isolate and search quick medical care. Those that could also be immunocompromised are suggested to seek the advice of their healthcare supplier.

“Vaccination stays our greatest protection in opposition to measles and is protected and extremely efficient at defending individuals and stopping outbreaks,” mentioned Virginia State Epidemiologist Laurie Forlano. “We urge Virginians, particularly these planning to journey, to test their vaccination standing, speak to their well being care supplier, and get the MMR vaccine if wanted.”