Measles cases in Pike County have climbed to 24 confirmed infections, with two more cases suspected, and an infant has been hospitalized with the virus, the Pike County General Health District announced Monday, the Scioto Valley Guardian reported. The health district said the infant’s hospitalization underscores the danger measles poses to the county’s youngest residents.
Infants and young children who have not yet completed their vaccination series are especially vulnerable to serious complications from the virus, the health district said in its announcement, as reported by the Scioto Valley Guardian. Officials have not released the ages, vaccination status or likely exposure locations of the newly confirmed patients.
The new total continues a steady climb in an outbreak that began with a single confirmed case on October 8. By October 23, the count had reached 22 confirmed cases, when the health district said it had completed contact tracing on the earlier cluster, including identifying potential exposures and notifying people who may have come into contact with an infected person, the Scioto Valley Guardian reported at the time.
The health district reiterated how the virus spreads: people infected with measles are contagious starting four days before a rash appears and remain contagious through the fourth day after the rash develops, with the first day of the rash counted as Day 0 — meaning an infected person can spread the virus before symptoms are visible. Anyone diagnosed with measles is advised to remain isolated through Day 4 of the rash, and severely immunocompromised patients may need to isolate longer, according to the health district.
Measles symptoms can include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes, typically followed by a rash. Symptoms generally appear seven to 14 days after exposure but can take as long as 21 days to show up, the health district said. Anyone who develops symptoms consistent with measles should avoid contact with other people and call a healthcare provider before going to a medical facility, so staff can take precautions to avoid exposing other patients and staff.
The health district continues to recommend the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine as the most effective protection against the virus, noting that two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing infection. Earlier in the outbreak, the Pike County district joined the Ross County and Highland County health districts to hold a regional vaccine clinic in Bainbridge as case counts began rising across the area, the Scioto Valley Guardian reported.
Residents who need vaccination or are unsure of their vaccination status can call the health district at 740-947-7721, and officials said arrangements can be made for vaccinations at another location for people who have difficulty getting to the office. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to measles is asked to contact their healthcare provider or the health district as soon as possible for guidance.
Photo: Aesopposea, CC BY-SA