EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Measles has arrived in California, but there’s still time to keep your family safe. While most of the U.S. cases have been in unvaccinated communities in Texas and New Mexico, cases have been reported from Rhode Island to Alaska. Here in California, five cases have been reported, including two infectious patients at Los Angeles International Airport in February and early March.
Measles, historically a common childhood respiratory illness, had largely been eradicated in the United States due to vaccination guidelines. Since the two-dose series is 97% effective, Americans had been insulated from an illness that remains impactful worldwide; according to the World Health Organization, around 100,000 people died from measles in 2023.
Since the most recent outbreak, over 301 cases have been reported, with 76% of patients under 19 years old. Around one fifth of patients have required hospitalization, which is mostly symptomatic care once a child has measles, since there is no cure.
The symptoms of measles include fevers >101 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A few days after exposure, a flat, red rash will appear on the face and ears and spread to the body. The virus is contagious from a few days before the rash appears to a few days after and can be spread through droplets (coughing or sneezing) or through touching contaminated surfaces. It can take up to three weeks to have symptoms if you are exposed to measles. Babies and young children and people who are unvaccinated, pregnant, or immunocompromised are most vulnerable to catching the virus.
While most people who get measles recover without issues, complications include pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), pregnancy complications, and death.
In the current outbreak, more than 95% of patients with measles were unvaccinated. If you don’t know your vaccine status, you can get a booster or have your blood immunity measured with a titer. If you have questions about the ingredients or safety of this vaccine or any other, check out the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccines/index.html or come into the 412th Medical Group and our team will be happy to discuss your concerns.
To minimize your risk of measles, influenza, COVID-19, or any other illness working its way through our community, remember this simple acronym: CASH.
Cover your cough – use a mask or a tissue to avoid spreading germs
Avoid sick contacts – three feet of distance minimum when you’re around sick people
Stay home when you’re ill– you need to recover and your coworkers don’t need your germs
Hand hygiene – wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer
The 412th Medical Group is committed to keeping our community safe and healthy; if you have questions or need additional information, stop by or follow us on Facebook to learn more.