US North Carolina: 2 more red measles cases confirmed

[hawkeye]

2 more red measles cases confirmed

By Amy Dominello
Staff Writer

Two more red measles cases were confirmed by Guilford's public health department.

The first case was identified Wednesday, according to the Guilford County Department of Public Health. The second case was identified Satuurday. Both are under physician care.

Those cases are connected to an initial case of red measles or rubeola that was confirmed on Jan. 25. One hundred forty-three people at Wesley Long Community Hospital's emergency department on Jan. 20 from 1:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Jan. 21 from 2:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. were identified as possibly having been exposed to the virus.

A total of 187 persons were vaccinated during the clinics or a home visit.

The Department of Public Health is continuing to advise persons to watch for symptoms of the disease (high fever, runny eyes and nose, red eyes, cough, chills, sore throat, headache and muscle aches; three to four days later a red-brown, blotchy rash will appear on the face and then move to the rest of the body.)

The health department has also contacted neighboring counties where some of the possibly exposed persons live. The Immunization Branch of the Division of Public Health is following up with those possibly exposed persons who live out of state.

 

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: US North Carolina: 2 more red measles cases confirmed

I had a temperature of 106 with the red measles as a child. This is not some benign disease. I do wish we could get a handle on the reason for the upswing in kids with autism so parents wouldn't fear getting their children vaccinated. I also have a dear friend who is a polio survivor. Too many parents don't have memories or friends whose lives have been forever affected by preventable diseases.

 

[hawkeye]

Re: US North Carolina: 2 more red measles cases confirmed

More Red Measles Cases Diagnosed

GUILFORD COUNTY - Two more cases of red measles have been confirmed in Guilford County, and the county health department is continuing to advise residents to watch for symptoms of the disease. Symptoms can include a high fever, runny eyes and nose, red eyes, cough, chills, sore throat, headache and muscle aches. Three to four days later, a red-brown, blotchy rash appears on the face before moving to the rest of the body.

Red measles, also known as Rubeola, was once a common childhood disease, but is now relatively uncommon because of required immunizations. It is highly contagious and is spread from person to person through the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Particles can remain in the air after the infected person is gone.

The first local case was publicized after an infected person visited the emergency room at Wesley Long Community Hospital on Jan. 20 and again on Jan. 21. A total of 143 persons who were also in the emergency room during the same hours were identifieid as possibly having been exposed.

The two new cases were identified on Jan. 31 and Feb. 3. Both are connected to the initial case.

Most children with measles are quite ill but recover with no effects. Some develop ear infections, pneumonia, croup, diarrhea and encephalitis. Infants and adults often have the more serious cases.