Bay Area Health Advisory Issued Due To Measles

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — At least six cases of measles have been reported in two Bay Area counties in the span of a month. Health officials in several counties have issued a health advisory urging residents to get vaccinated for the disease. Between March 5 and April 3, five of the cases of the virus were reported in Santa Clara County and one was reported in Alameda County. An associated case was discovered in Nevada.

"The index case is an unvaccinated traveler who was exposed in Europe and developed measles after returning to the San Francisco Bay Area," health officials in San Mateo County said in a statement.

Measles is an "acute, highly contagious viral disease," according to health officials.

"The best way to protect yourself and your family against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases is by immunization," says Dr. Arnold Leff, Health Officer for Santa Cruz County.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, measles starts with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and a sore throat and is followed by a rash that spreads over the body. Those who think they are infected should call a healthcare provider. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news from your California neighborhood. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app. Also, be sure to follow your local Patch on Facebook!)

Health officials said two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine provides long-lasting protection against measles.

Photo via Shutterstock