Public health officials work with WVU Medicine on West Virginia's first case of measles since 2009
Apr. 22—MORGANTOWN — Health care officials in Monongalia County report that an adult male has tested positive for the first case of measles in West Virginia since 2009.
According to a press release from the Monongalia County Health Department, when the man sought treatment at WVU Medicine and his symptoms were identified, he was instructed to isolate at home.
Now health department and WVU Medicine officials are conducting contact tracing to determine whom he may have been in contact with in the past week. Health officials could not determine exactly how or where the man contracted measles, but said he had recently traveled aboard.
"Monongalia County Health Department is diligently working with WVU Medicine to identify all people who came into contact with the patient within the WVU Medicine system and is actively reaching out to inform those individuals of the exposure," Incoming Health Department Health Officer Dr. Brian H. Huggins said. "Additionally, MCHD is in conversation with the patient to identify other places this individual traveled while symptomatic."
Those who may be identified by contact tracing will be notified, Huggins said.
Lab officials confirmed Sunday that the patient did have measles, which are also known as rubeola.
Monongalia County Health Department Infection Control and Disease Prevention Program Manager Edward Abbott said once the patient went into isolation, his closest contacts, including family members, were given education about isolation and how to identify symptoms of measles.
Considered highly contagious, measles is a viral infection that can appear seven to 14 days after exposure and include high fever that can spike to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Those infected can also have a cough, runny nose and red watery eyes.
Three to five days after symptoms start, a rash will form, starting on the face and spread downward to the trunk and limbs.
In one out of every 1,000 measles cases, patients can develop encephalitis and subsequent brain damage. One to three of every 1,000 children infected with measles will die from respiratory and/or neurologic complications.
"We really want to emphasize that this is an illness that people should take very seriously," Huggins said.
The risk for fully vaccinated individuals of developing the disease is very low, he added. In an unvaccinated population, each infected person can on average spread the disease to nine or 10 people. If an individual with measles leaves a room, the virus can hang in the air and infect others for up to two hours.
People are contagious from four days prior to and four days after the rash appears, Huggins said.
Huggins said individuals who believe they have measles symptoms should first call their health care provider's office to make an appointment.
"Because of the highly infectious nature of the disease, it is not recommended that individuals just present to a health care facility," Huggins said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared that measles had been eradicated in 2000. Due to West Virginia's history of vaccination compliance, the state had not been affected by recent outbreaks that have taken place in several areas of the United States, including neighboring Ohio.
"Immunity from the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine can wane over time. If you are concerned about your immunity status, you can ask your health care provider to check for antibodies in your blood via a titer," Huggins said.
The vaccine for measles is is the the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which is referred to as MMR. To receive an MMR vaccine, call the Monongalia County Health Department to make an appointment at 304-598-5119 or the Marion County Health Department at 304-366-3360.
