A Charlottesville-area teenager who recently travelled internationally has officially been confirmed as the second measles case of the year in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
The first case was reported in April in a child (ages 0 to 4) in the same Northwest region. The child had also travelled internationally, according to VDH.
The patient, a teenager between the ages of 13 and 17, recently travelled internationally.
Health officials are coordinating efforts to identify anyone who might have been exposed.
Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.
Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection.
Virginia has high measles vaccination rates, with approximately 95 percent of kindergarteners fully vaccinated against measles.
Potential exposure sites
Potential exposure sites in Virginia include:
- May 20: Charlottesville Albemarle Airport, 2:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- May 20: Play it Again Sports, 1885 Seminole Trail, Charlottesville, 2:40 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- May 20: Goodwill Store and Donation Center, 440 Gander Drive, Charlottesville, 3:10 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- May 22: UVA Health Primary Care Riverside, 2335 Seminole Lane, Suite 200, Charlottesville, 2 p.m. to 7:10 p.m.
- May 23: UVA Health University Medical Center Emergency Department, 1215 Lee St., Charlottesville, 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.
VDH: What to do if you may have been exposed to measles
- If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are protected and do not need to take any action.
- If you have never received a measles containing vaccine (either the measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine or a measles-only vaccine which is available in other countries), you may be at risk of developing measles. Anyone who might have been exposed and is considered to be at risk of developing measles should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
- Non-immune individuals may qualify for post-exposure treatments. People who might have been exposed and are not immune should contact their health care provider immediately to coordinate administration of post-exposure prophylaxis.
- Watch for symptoms for 21 days after the date of your potential exposure. If you notice symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home. Contact your healthcare provider right away. If you need to seek healthcare, call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the local health department. This call will help protect other patients and staff.
- Anyone with an immunocompromising condition should consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions or develop symptoms.
- If you have received only one dose of a measles-containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low. However, to achieve the highest level of protection, contact your healthcare provider about getting a second vaccine dose.
For more information about measles visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/measles/
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Crystal Graham
