ORLANDO –The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has identified one confirmed measles case in a visitor from the United Kingdom. The confirmed case had contact with a measles case in the United Kingdom before traveling to the Orlando area and has signs and symptoms consistent with measles. While infectious, the confirmed case visited numerous local attractions and businesses in the attractions area of Orange County. Anyone that has been in this area in the period July 16 through July 22 and has developed a rash-like illness should seek medical care.
The Department of Health-Orange County is working closely with partners to find any other potential cases. The health department is notifying any and all facilities the patient visited during the infectious period. The medical community has also been notified to consider the possibility of a diagnosis of measles in patients with a rash-like illness.
Cases of measles are rarely seen in the United States, but they are still common in some countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of getting infected when they travel internationally. Visitors can bring measles to the United States and infect others. Unvaccinated people put themselves and others at risk for measles and its serious complications.
The symptoms of measles generally begin approximately seven to 14 days after a person is exposed to someone with measles, and include:
• Blotchy rash
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Feeling run down, achy (malaise)
• Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers found inside the mouth (Koplik’s spots)
Measles is spread through the air by infectious droplets and is highly contagious. It can be transmitted in the period four days before the rash becomes visible to four days after the rash appears.
Measles can be prevented through vaccination. Two doses are required for protection against measles; typically the first dose is given at the age of 12 -15 months, with the second dose given at 4 -6 years of age. Visit your doctor to get vaccinated or if not up to date on your vaccinations.
For more information about measles and vaccination information, go to www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html, or www.orchd.com/personalHealth/immunizations/index.aspor call the Florida Department of Health in Orange County Epidemiology Program at (407) 858-1400.