Riverside County health officials last week reported the first confirmed case of measles in the county since 2018.
According to the Thursday release from Riverside University Health System — Public Health (RUHS – PH), testing confirmed that an adult who lives in the eastern part of the county and had a recent history of international travel contracted the virus.
“Those who travel internationally to areas with ongoing measles transmission may be at risk for exposure. It’s important to check and make sure you are up to date on your vaccines, at least two weeks prior to international travel,” said Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky in the release.
Health officials said a documented measles vaccination could not be confirmed, but that the person was recovering at home.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that those who travel internationally, or to a place where measles is spreading, to monitor their health for signs and symptoms for three weeks after they return home. Those who develop symptoms, or believe they have been exposed, are urged to contact their healthcare provider.
“As measles cases continue to occur nationwide, it’s important to remain proactive to identify signs of illness, particularly when coming back from international travel, in order to promptly diagnose measles and prevent additional exposures,” Chevinsky said in the release.
Health officials said this was the state’s ninth confirmed case of measles. Other cases have been reported in Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange, Placer, San Mateo and Tuolumne counties, according to the California Department of Public Health.
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In a release issued earlier this month, Chevinsky said that vaccination remains the best protection from the highly infectious virus. One dose of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is recommended for infants as young as 6 months old prior to international travel to reduce the risk of contracting the disease.
For most children, the recommendation is that the first dose of the vaccine be given at 12 months of age with a second dose administered between the ages of 4 to 6 years. For older children, adolescents and most adults without documented vaccination, two doses separated by at least 28 days should be given, though for adults born after 1957, health professionals said one dose is often sufficient.
Symptoms of measles can include an initial fever that lasts a couple of days, followed by a cough, a runny nose, pink eye and a prickly red rash.
Barbara Cole, director for disease control with Public Health, said in a previous interview with The Record that those who suspect they might have contracted the virus should contact their healthcare provider. She also said those seeking care for a rash illness through an emergency department or urgent care should call ahead to ensure the facility can take appropriate precautions.
More information about measles can be found here on the RUHS-PH website.
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