First measles case of the year confirmed in Kenner

“The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has confirmed one case of measles in a pediatric resident,” Press Secretary Amy Whitehead said in a news release. ”The patient was exposed to measles during international travel.”

She says the child was partially vaccinated.

“The individual who tested positive is in isolation and is receiving treatment at a Region 1 hospital.”

Whitehead says they know the infected patient has been in public recently.

Public exposures occurred at the following locations:

Location: Target Kenner, 1401 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner, LA 70065

Date: Friday, April 17

Location: Walmart Supercenter, 300 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner, LA 70065

Date: Friday, April 17

“Anyone who was at these locations on this date may have been exposed to measles.”

Growing numbers of people are not getting vaccinated. Those without the shots are highly likely to contract the disease if they come into contact with an infected individual.

“Measles is highly contagious and can spread rapidly among individuals who have not received the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Approximately 90% of unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to measles will become infected.”

Whitehead warns that measles can result in hospitalization and, in extreme cases, death.

“The measles virus can be especially dangerous for babies and young children, pregnant women, and people who have compromised immune systems.”

LDH released the following information:

The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized against measles. Adults need at least one dose of MMR vaccine given after the age of 1. Individuals born before 1957 or who had measles as a child are considered immune. Talk to your health care provider about whether the MMR vaccine is right for you.

What are the symptoms of measles?

• Symptoms generally appear about 7-14 days after a person is infected.
• Initial measles symptoms include a high fever that may spike as high as 104°, a cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
• Two to three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth.
• Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash will break out. It usually appears as flat red spots on the face at the hairline and spreads downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.
• After a few days, the fever subsides and the rash fades.

I think I have been exposed to measles. What should I do?

• Immediately call your health care provider and let them know that you have been exposed to someone who has measles. Your health care provider can determine if you are protected against measles based on your vaccination record, age, or laboratory evidence. Also, please contact your regional epidemiologist with the Louisiana Department of Health, who can provide additional guidance.
• Monitor yourself for symptoms. Be on the lookout for fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7-21 days after exposure potentially occurred, as this is the time when symptoms may develop.
• If you see a provider in person, please notify your provider that you have been exposed to measles before you arrive so that they can make special arrangements to evaluate you, if needed, without putting other patients and medical office staff at risk.
• If you are not immune to measles, the MMR vaccine or a medicine called immune globulin may help reduce your risk of developing measles. Your health care provider can advise and monitor you for signs and symptoms of measles.

I think I have measles. What should I do?

• If symptoms develop, stay at home. Avoid school, work, and any large gatherings.
• Immediately call your health care provider and let them know about your symptoms so they can tell you what to do next. Your health care provider can make special arrangements to evaluate you, if needed, without putting other patients and medical office staff at risk.
• The Louisiana Department of Health can assist health care providers in appropriately diagnosing and managing your care.

Additional information for providers and the general public can be found at LDH | Measles. If you are unsure whether you have been vaccinated, ask your health care provider to find out if you need an MMR. You can also check your family’s vaccine status at MyIR. MMR is available at the following LDH parish health units in Region 1:

Jefferson Parish Parish Health Unit-Metairie: 111 N Causeway Blvd., Metairie

Jefferson Parish Parish Health Unit-Marrero: 1855 Ames Blvd., Marrero