Health Department investigating measles cases in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has learned of a confirmed case of measles in an Arkansan who returned from a visit overseas.  The patient has visited four Arkansas cities--West Memphis, Sheridan, Proctor and White Hall-- and the Tennessee cities of Whitehouse and Nashville since becoming infectious.

According to Dirk Haselow, MD, PhD, medical director and section chief of Communicable Disease and Immunization at ADH, there is very little chance that anyone other than foreign-born visitors or those who had never been vaccinated would be at risk. “Measles is very rare in countries and regions of the world that are able to vaccinate large numbers of people. Because the U.S. has high rates of vaccination, we seldom see the disease in this country.  The Health Department is investigating this case and working to determine people that might have been potentially exposed,” Haselow said.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people.  Measles symptoms generally appear in two stages.  In the first stage, the individual may have a runny nose, cough and a slight fever.  The eyes may become reddened and sensitive to light while the fever consistently rises each day.  The second stage begins on the third to seventh day and consists of a higher temperature and a red, blotchy rash lasting four to seven days.  The rash usually begins on the face and then spreads over the entire body.

Pregnant women, young children and persons that have compromised immune systems are at particular risk for serious complications from the disease.

All those born before 1957 or who have had two doses of mumps, measles, rubella vaccine (MMR) should be protected or immune from the disease.  The MMR vaccination series is part of the childhood immunization series that children receive prior to attending school.

Any person in school or in college who hasn’t had two doses of MMR vaccine should get vaccinated at their doctor’s office or at any local health unit statewide.

Arkansas reported five cases of measles in 1999, one case in 2000 and two cases in 2008.  There were no cases in Arkansas residents in recent years.