INYO COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH BRIEF
Measles Prevention
Measles is back. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as of April 4, 2024, a total of 113 measles cases were reported by 18 jurisdictions: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. As of March 30, 2024, 6 confirmed measles cases have been reported in California.
Currently no cases have been reported in Inyo County for 2024. Nevertheless, Inyo County Health Officer, Dr. James Richardson, recommends that you take action to avoid this preventable disease by ensuring that you and your children have received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Call your doctor, your local health department, or locate a pharmacy or clinic near you to schedule an appointment for a MMR vaccine.
Measles is a highly contagious, viral disease that spreads through the air when a person sick with the disease coughs or sneezes. Symptoms begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes or conjunctivitis (pink eye). These symptoms are followed by a rash that usually appears on the head and spreads to the rest of the body.
Measles cases in the United States originate from unvaccinated international travelers. If you plan to travel internationally, make sure you and your loved ones are protected against measles before departure, no matter where you are going. You are at risk of measles infection if you have not been fully vaccinated or have not had measles in the past and you travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
Consider measles in patients presenting with febrile rash illness and clinically compatible measles symptoms (cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis). Ask patients about recent travel internationally or to domestic venues frequented by international travelers, as well as a history of measles in the community.
Call your healthcare provider immediately if you think you or your child have been exposed to measles.
