Measles on 12 year old boy residing in maine
Maine has confirmed its first case of measles since 2019, with the infected individual being a child, according to the state’s CDC. The child had been administered the measles vaccine, and the Maine CDC has clarified that it is not feasible to contract measles from the vaccine.
However, as a precautionary measure, the state’s health officials are treating the child as contagious.
Health officials have identified several locations where individuals may have been potentially exposed to measles in Maine. The places and respective dates and times are as follows:
- Family Time Dine and Play at Auburn Mall in Auburn on April 29 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Clear Choice MD in Scarborough (273 Payne Road) on May 1 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Hannaford on Cottage Road in South Portland (Mill Creek Hannaford) on May 1 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Â Mercy Fore River Emergency Department on May 2 from 7:45 p.m. to midnight, and on May 3 from midnight to 3:30 a.m.
People who were present at these places during the mentioned times should be vigilant and watch out for any symptoms of measles for 21 days after their possible exposure.
Measles can spread easily. Measles can be serious for anyone, but babies and young children are more likely to get very sick. You can prevent measles by getting measles vaccine. Watch this video to learn more. Call a health care provider if you think you have measles. pic.twitter.com/1hZPvEzADK
— Maine CDC (@MEPublicHealth) May 5, 2023
If any symptoms appear, they should contact a healthcare provider immediately for guidance on what to do next, instead of directly going to the hospital or clinic to help prevent the possible spread of the disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, as of April 28, there have been 10 confirmed cases of measles in eight different states this year.
Measles is a viral illness that spreads easily and causes symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that starts on the head and moves down the body.
The Maine CDC has warned that measles can cause severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and even death.
The virus spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and the virus can survive for up to two hours on surfaces and in the air. Symptoms usually appear 10-14 days after exposure, but in some cases, it can take longer.
The best way to prevent measles is by receiving the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The Maine CDC recommends that anyone who has not been vaccinated or is unsure of their vaccination status should get immunized to protect themselves and prevent the spread of the disease.
There are no cases of asymptomatic measles, and infected individuals can spread the virus from four days before to four days after the onset of the rash.
