Martha's Vineyard Measles Case: Unvaccinated Child Diagnosed

A unvaccinated child visiting Martha‘s Vineyard last week was diagnosed with measles at Matha’s Vineyard Hospital.

Now hospital officials are warning islanders who may have been exposed to the child. This is a list of dates, times, and places where the child was among the public:

• June 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: West Tisbury Public Library
• June 9, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and June 11, 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Aquinnah Library
• June 12, 1 p.m to 5 p.m.: Martha’s Vineyard Airport Laundromat
• June 16, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Sharky’s Cantina
• June 16, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: Ryan’s Family Amusements

Hospital officials said there were will be a free measles immunization clinic on Wednesday (june 24) from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the hospital.

Here’s more information from the hospital:

What is measles? Measles is a very contagious disease that usually lasts a week or two. It can cause serious problems like ear infections, pneumonia, swelling of the brain in some people, especially pregnant women, infants, and those with weakened immune systems. Adults are also at increased risk for severe disease and may need to be hospitalized due to complications. As it is a virus, antibiotics will not help treat this disease. Vaccination and precautions to prevent the disease are the first line of defense. Once you have the disease, only supportive care is given while your body deals with the disease.

• If you have been immunized, have had measles in the past, or have had blood work indicating you have immunity to the disease, there is nothing to do.
• If you or your children are un-immunized, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital will be holding a Measles Immunization Clinic in the Doctor’s wing of the old Hospital on Wednesday, June 24th from 5pm to 9pm. It will be free of charge.
• If you are uncertain as to the immunization status of you or your child, contact your Primary Care doctor.

What are the symptoms? Measles looks and feels like a cold at first. A cough, high fever, runny nose, and red, watery eyes are common. These symptoms start about ten days after infection. A few days later, a red blotchy rash starts on the face first, and then spreads to the rest of the body.

How is measles spread? The virus that causes measles lives in the nose and throat and is sprayed into the air when an infected person coughs or talks. Other people nearby can then inhale the virus. Measles is very infectious and can stay in the air for up to two hours after the contagious person has left the room. Touching tissues or sharing a cup used by someone with measles also spreads the virus. People with measles are infectious for 4 days prior to rash onset, until 4 days after onset. If someone is susceptible to measles, they usually show symptoms 10-14 days after exposure.

What do I do?

• Ensure you and your family are vaccinated. It is the only reliable way to protect yourself and your family from the disease during an outbreak. In addition, measles vaccine given within 72 hours of exposure may prevent disease.

If you develop:

• A high fever
• A rash that begins on your head
• A runny nose and cough

AND you are un-immunized or are unsure of your immunization status: DO NOT GO TO YOUR DOCTORS OFFICE OR THE HOSPITAL.

Call your Primary Care Doctor for further instructions or contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health 617-983-6800 or contact Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Measles Hotline at 508-957-0117.

If you feel that it is a medical emergency, call 911.

More information can be found online at either the Massachusetts Department of Public health, http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph or on the Centers for Disease Control website, http://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html

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