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August 29, 2003 Contacts: Bonnie Widerburg, 503/731-4180 Public health officials issue measles alert A European visitor who arrived in Portland on Tuesday has been tentatively diagnosed with measles, public health officials at the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) said today. "Laboratory results are needed to confirm the diagnosis and are expected by the middle of next week," said Paul Cieslak, M.D., communicable disease manager in DHS. "In the meantime, the patient is in isolation to prevent exposing anyone else and Multnomah County is working to identify those who may have had contact with this person." Earlier this month, two cases of measles were confirmed in foreign students who had just arrived in Corvallis. Those cases are not related to this one, Cieslak said. "These recent cases from overseas are a reminder that measles is still out there," said Cieslak. "As long as it is, we need to protect our children by making sure they have all their shots." Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that is transmitted through the air. It usually begins with a cough, runny nose, eye irritation and fever. These symptoms are followed by a red, blotchy rash that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Persons with measles can be contagious for several days before the rash appears and for up to four days afterward. Cieslak cautioned that persons with a rash illness should not just "drop in" to their physician’s office or to the emergency room. "Measles is very contagious, and dropping in on doctors’ offices or emergency rooms can expose other patients," Cieslak said. "We advise those who suspect that they might have measles to call beforehand and arrange an appointment where other patients will not be exposed." 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. College students and children one year of age and older should receive two doses of measles vaccine, given at least one month apart. 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 Cieslak. "Therefore, they should be sure that they are immune; if unsure, they should consult their infection-control practitioners about the need for vaccination." Ciselak advised that health-care providers who suspect measles in a patient should report the suspected case to the patient’s local health department right away. Most people with measles recover fully, but it can be serious. In the U.S. it kills about one out of every 500 persons who get it, according to Cieslak. |
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