Hartford County Measles Case Confirmed

HARTFORD, CT — The Connecticut Department of Public Health on Friday said it has confirmed a case of measles in a Hartford County adult.

It makes the third confirmed case this year in the state.

The "infected individual" did not have contact with the two cases reported in April from New Haven County, and acquired the infection out of state, according to health department officials.

Health officials said they DPH are trying to determine who may have had contact with the person and "implement appropriate control measures."

Measles is defined as a highly contagious disease that can spread quickly among unvaccinated people.

The majority of people exposed to measles are not at-risk of developing the disease since most people

have either been vaccinated or have had measles in the past, before vaccination became routine.

“Cases of measles, while not widespread in the United States, are not uncommon and measles is
circulating throughout the country and internationally. The single best way to protect yourself and your
children from measles is to be vaccinated,” health department commissioner Dr. Raul Pino said. “While most people have had the measles vaccination, it’s important to know your vaccination status and to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles so you can get medical attention.”

The measles vaccine is "very effective," Pino said. One dose of measles vaccine is about 93 percent effective at
preventing measles if exposed to the virus. Two doses are about 97 percent effective. Very few people — about
three out of 100 — who get two doses of measles vaccine will still get measles if exposed to the virus.

Fully vaccinated people are also less likely to spread the disease to other people, including people who can’t get vaccinated because they are too young or have weakened immune systems.

Most Connecticut residents have been vaccinated and students, except those with medical or religious exemptions may must be vaccinated to attend school, health department officials said.

Adults born in the U.S. before 1957 are considered immune to measles from past exposures, but in situations where exposure to measles is likely, adults may benefit from a dose of vaccine to be safer, he said.

Most people who are diagnosed as having measles are not vaccinated or did not know their vaccination status.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

To sign up for free, local breaking news alerts from more than 100 Connecticut communities click here.