STANISLAUS COUNTY, Calif. — An unvaccinated child from Stanislaus County who recently traveled out of the U.S. contracted measles, the county health services announced Thursday.
Stanislaus County Public Health said in a press release, the child recently traveled out of the country. At this time, anyone who may have been exposed happened in a healthcare setting.
According to the CDC, measles is a virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of someone who has been infected.
“Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can quickly spread among people who are not immune to it,” Dr. Thea Papasozomenos, Stanislaus County Public Health Officer, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, it can cause serious health complications in some people. The best way to protect yourself and your family against measles is by getting vaccinated.”
People who were exposed will be contacted by public health and the facility where the exposure happened, according to county public health.
The California Department of Public Health said there have been four reported measles cases statewide and the cases have been linked to travel to countries with epidemics amid decreased routine immunization.
Measles Symptoms
According to the CDC, measles can be spread through coughing and sneezing. Here are the signs and symptoms of measles.
- high fever (may spike to more than 104°)
- cough
- runny nose (coryza)
- red, watery eyes
Two to three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth, according to the CDC. Three to five days after symptoms begin, a measles rash breaks out. This could look like flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, torso, arms, legs, and feet.
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