Alert issued over US measles outbreak

(CNS): Local public health officials are urging anyone who has been travelling to and from Canada and the United States and develops a fever to seek medical attention immediately. Theres is currently a measles outbreak in the United States, which began in California, and have been several reported cases in Canada this month. Although the Public Health Department in Cayman is issuing an alert, the acting public health boss has said there is no need for people to be alarmed.

There have been no cases of measles in Cayman since 1990 as a result of a successful immunization campaign, with 97% of children now being vaccinated before they go to school.

“Although there is no need to be alarmed at this stage, we ask that anyone returning from the US, where there is currently an outbreak, and who are experiencing a sudden high fever accompanied by a rash to seek medical attention immediately,” said Dr Samuel Williams, the Acting Medical Officer, adding that patients need to reveal their travel history to the doctors.

“If you are travelling to any of the affected areas with a measles outbreak, safeguard yourself and your family by ensuring that yours and your children’s immunizations against measles are up-to-date,” Williams said. “Unprotected children are at the greatest risk of contracting this virus, should a case be imported. It is the duty of parents and guardians to ensure that their children are protected.”

Williams stated that the Public Health Department has advised healthcare workers in the private and public sectors of the CDC alert and will continue to monitor the situation and advise residents accordingly.

So far this year over 121 people from 17 states have contracted measles. Most of the cases are connected to an outbreak linked to an amusement park in California. On 23 January the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) issued a health advisory providing guidance for healthcare providers nationwide.

The measles outbreak has been reported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Washington DC. The since 3 February four laboratory cases of measles have been reported in Ontario, Canada with eight suspected measles cases under investigation from Quebec.

There have been no cases reported in our region in connection with the North American outbreak and the Caribbean celebrated its 24th year without an indigenous case of measles. The virus is, however, still common in many developing countries, particularly in Africa and Asia and people visiting these regions should pay attention to possible symptoms.

“Regionally, while there has been great progress, once again I emphasise that measles can be reintroduced as we have many residents and visitors travelling to and from the affected areas and we should therefore remain vigilant,” Dr Williams noted. “The first sign of measles is usually a high fever which begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus. A runny nose, cough along with red and watery eyes and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage followed by a  rash on the face and upper neck, eventually reaching the hands and feet,” he explained.

Measles is caused by a virus which grows in the cells that line the back of the throat and lungs. Close contact with other people for seven days following onset of rash must be avoided. For complete protection, children over 12 months of age should have 2 doses of MMR (measles mumps and rubella) vaccine. Any child over 6- 11 months of age travelling abroad is recommended to have one dose of MMR vaccine.