Watch for measles symptoms in Humboldt County

The Humboldt County Department of Health says today, Friday, May 17, is when the earliest symptoms of measles may begin to show.

A family recently traveling through our area included one person who had measles.

They stayed at The Days Inn, 270 Fifth St. in Eureka from Thursday, May 9, at 2 p.m. through Friday, May 10, at 3 a.m.

They also were in the Providence St. Joseph Hospital Emergency Department, 2700 Dolbeer St. in Eureka Friday, May 10, between 2:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.

The health department believes more than a hundred people were exposed to measles.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles is more than just a rash and fever. It can cause serious health complications, especially in young children.

In 2000, the CDC declared that measles was “eliminated” in the United States. But just this year, 132 cases have been reported. That’s double the number of cases from last year, and it’s only May.

Measles is highly contagious. The CDC says you can get infected by being in a room where a person with measles has been up to two hours after that person has left.

Dr. William Schaffner, Professor of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt Medical Center says, “The measles virus can get down into your chest and cause pneumonia. Even more seriously, it can get into your brain and cause inflammation.” 

The health department says symptoms of measles can show up seven to 14 days after exposure.

Symptoms include:

• High fever (may spike to more than 104° F)
• Cough
• Runny nose (coryza)
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis/pink eye)
• Rash

Health officials are urging everyone to make sure their measles vaccines are up to date, because the CDC says “anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk.”

Two doses of the MMR vaccine “provide the best protection against measles.”

Report suspected measles cases immediately to Humboldt County Public Health’s Communicable Disease Program at: (707) 268-2182.

If after hours, contact the Health Officer by calling Humboldt County Sheriff Dispatch at (707) 445-7251.

For more information about Measles, go to the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html