MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) — The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) confirmed the state’s first case of measles in more than 20 years.
Health officials said a child under the age of 5 in north Alabama contracted measles while traveling outside the United States. The child was unvaccinated but did not attend daycare or school. The child’s siblings are vaccinated and have not shown symptoms.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Karen Landers urged parents to make sure their children are up to date on measles vaccinations. “If exposed, unvaccinated people have a 90 percent chance of becoming infected, and infected people can spread the disease several days before becoming symptomatic,” Dr. Landers said.
Measles is a serious viral respiratory illness spread through the air by coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and later, a rash. Infected individuals can spread the virus up to four days before symptoms appear. Complications can include ear infections, pneumonia, or encephalitis.
There is no antiviral treatment for measles, but symptoms can be managed with rest, fluids, and fever-reducing medications. The best protection is the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is 99 percent effective after two doses. Vaccines are available at pediatrician offices and county health departments.
Parents should contact a doctor immediately if they suspect their child has measles or has been exposed to someone with the illness.
For more information, visit ADPH’s measles website.
