The Nash County Health Department is warning the public of a potential measles exposure after a child was seen at a hospital and later tested positive for measles.
On Tuesday, the unvaccinated child was at the UNC Health Nash Emergency Department, according to a Facebook post from Nash County.
Other WRAL Top Stories
The child became ill traveling from another country where measles outbreaks have recently been reported.
Anyone who visited between 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesday at the UNC Health Nash Emergency Department may have been exposed. The county recommended they review their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms.
“At this time, the risk to the general public remains low,” the county’s Facebook post said.
Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact and through the air. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:
• High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) two to three days after symptoms begin
• A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin
• Measles can also cause complications, including diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and suppression of the immune system.
Anyone who develops symptoms should call ahead before visiting a doctor’s office, urgent care or emergency department to prevent possible spread to others.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recommends all unvaccinated people ages 1 year and older receive measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them. While MMR vaccination is not routinely recommended for children younger than the age of 12 months, MMR vaccination can be safely given to children as young as 6 months if they are at higher risk.