WCBC

April 16th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has confirmed a second measles case in a Maryland resident. This second confirmed case is a household contact of the first confirmed case, and both acquired measles outside of Maryland in an area with an ongoing measles outbreak. There is no evidence of ongoing spread of measles in Maryland currently. No additional potential measles exposure locations in Maryland have been identified. 

 

Measles is a contagious vaccine-preventable viral infection easily spread to unvaccinated persons through coughing, sneezing and secretions from the mouth. Early measles symptoms of high fever, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes typically develop 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Usually, one to four days after the early symptoms, a red rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. A person with measles is contagious beginning four days before the rash appears until four days after the rash begins. Those who are most at risk of complications from measles infection are: pregnant women, infants less than one year old and those who are immune compromised.

 

Measles can be prevented with MMR vaccine, which is safe and effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends that children get two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine: the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at four to six years of age. Teens and adults should also be up-to-date on MMR vaccinations. The MDH provided 1,200 doses of the MMR vaccine to Baltimore County to host a vaccination clinic on Wednesday, April 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bais Yaakov School for girls, 6302 Smith Avenue, in Baltimore, MD 21209.

 

Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97 percent effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93 percent effective. People are considered immune to measles if they were born in the United States before 1957, previously had measles or have had two doses of measles vaccine.

People who have not had two doses of measles vaccine AND who are at increased risk of measles exposure should discuss MMR vaccination with their doctor. People at increased risk of measles exposure include those planning to travel outside of Maryland to areas with measles outbreaks or who might have contact with visitors from these areas. 

 

If you or your family member needs MMR vaccine, first check with your health care provider. If your health care provider does not have MMR vaccine available, you can reach out to your pharmacist to see if they carry it. In Maryland, a pharmacist may administer any vaccines included in the CDC's recommended Immunization Schedule to individuals ages 11 to 17 who have a prescription. For those age 18 years or older, prescriptions are not required to administer vaccines as long as they are one of the adult vaccines listed by the CDC. For information about pricing and insurance reimbursement, check with your pharmacist and insurance provider.