72-Year-Old Man Is 1st Tampa Bay Resident To Contract Measles

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL --The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County is investigating a case of measles contracted by a 72-year-old resident who traveled to Asia.

This is the first case of measles confirmed in Tampa Bay this year and the second case of measles confirmed in Florida.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 695 cases of measles have been confirmed in 22 states since Jan. 1. This is the greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since measles was eliminated in 2000.

The CDC said most of these cases have been found in travelers who brought measles back from other countries such as Israel, Ukraine, Africa and the Philippines, where large measles outbreaks are occurring.

The majority of these people were not vaccinated against the disease but CDC is also seeing cases in adults who were vaccinated as well as adults who were considered immune.

In the decade before 1963, nearly all children got measles by the time they were 15 years of age. It is estimated three to four million people in the United States were infected each year with 400 to 500 people dying, 48,000 hospitalized and 1,000 suffering from encephalitis (swelling of the brain) caused by measles.

The first measles vaccine was developed and licensed in 1963. Since then, children have routinely received combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations before they start school, a measure believed to provide protection for life.

However, those born before 1957 were presumed to be immune to measles, mumps and rubella because nearly all children were infected naturally.

In recent years, however, the CDC is seeing more cases of measles in people born before 1957, indicating that not all the people in this age group naturally infected and, therefor, immune.

As a result, the CDC is now recommending people who were born during or after 1957 to be tested to see if they are immune. If there is no evidence of immunity against the measles, the CDC recommends that they get at least one dose of MMR vaccine. If they travel internationally or work in the health-care industry, they should get two doses of MMR.

Serologic studies of hospital workers indicate that 5 to 9 percent of those born before 1957 are not immune to measles, according to the CDC.

The test for immunity is performed with a small amount of blood. The blood is drawn and then tested for the presence of antibodies to the virus. If antibodies are present, then the person has protection against the measles virus.

The CDC is also seeing an increase of cases of measles in adults with proof of vaccination.

There may be two reasons this is occurring.

Until December 1989, public health officials recommended only one dose of the measles vaccine for all children. However, following multiple outbreaks in fully vaccinated populations, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices began recommending that a second dose of a measles vaccine, preferably the MMR vaccine, be administered to all children.

Even with two doses, the CDC says 3 percent of people will still get measles if exposed to the virus.

Experts aren’t sure why. It could be that their immune systems didn’t respond as well as they should have to the vaccine. But the good news is, fully vaccinated people who get measles are much more likely to have a milder illness. And 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.

All health departments in Tampa Bay offer MMR vaccinations. Many DOH clinics provide free vaccinations for children. Vaccines for adults cost around $80.

For health office locations, hours and fees, contact:

• Hillsborough (813) 307-8077
• Pasco (813) 364-5812
• Pinellas (727) 824-6900

Or click here for information.