Two extra instances of measles were affirmed by the Tennessee Department of Health State Public Health Laboratory Monday. This brings the complete number of measles cases in Tennessee in 2019 to three. The two new cases are related with the primary measles case in Tennessee this year which was reported April 18, and were were identified as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an ‘flare-up’ as at least 3 cases.
“We expected to have more measles cases linked to the first one, and these new cases occurred in people we had identified and were monitoring as contacts of the first patient,” said Tennessee Immunization Program Medical Director Michelle Fiscus, MD, FAAP. “The good news is there are no additional contacts of these new cases that have not already been identified.”
TDH is giving data about measles and how to prevent it online. This page incorporates the quantity of measles cases in the express this year, which will be refreshed every day by 3 p.m. Central time if additional cases are confirmed.
Measles manifestations may incorporate fever, runny nose, body throbs, watery eyes and white spots in the mouth. A few days after these indications begin, a red, spotty rash normally starts on the face and spreads over the body. Symptoms may develop any time in the 21 days following exposure to the illness.
The state health department urges residents to check to ensure they are up-to date on MMR vaccine, which is extremely effective in preventing infection. The measles virus is highly contagious and can stay airborne or live on surfaces for up to two hours. People recently infected with measles may not have any symptoms of illness, but can transmit the virus for about five days before the typical measles rash appears, according to state health officials.
Any individual who trusts they or a friend or family member has measles side effects should remain at home and contact a health care provider to make arrangements to visit a health care facility before going to a health care center to prevent further exposure of others to the illness.
