Measles cases confirmed in Memphis; exposure in Arkansas possible

Measles cases confirmed in Memphis; exposure in Arkansas possible

Health Departments urge awareness, encourage vaccinations

www.arkansasnews.com LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas health officials said Tuesday the Shelby County Health Department in Tennessee has confirmed six cases of measles in the Memphis area and said some Arkansans may have been exposed to the infectious disease. Arkansans should make sure they are up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine and should be aware of the risks of measles, especially for the very young and people with a weakened immune system, including pregnant women, the Arkansas Health Department said in a news release. Measles is a viral infection that starts with a high fever, runny nose, cough and red eyes, followed a few days later by a rash that starts on the head and gradually moves down the body.

About one in four people in the U.S. who get measles will be hospitalized. One out of every 1,000 people with measles will develop brain swelling, which can lead to permanent brain damage, and one or two out of 1,000 people who get measles will die, even with medical care. The first dose of the MMR vaccine is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months of age, and a second dose should be given at 5 to 6 years of age, the Health Department said.

Adults born before 1957 are generally considered immune to measles. All adults born in 1957 or later should have at least one dose of MMR vaccine unless they have a medical reason to not receive the vaccine, or they should have a laboratory test that shows they have immunity to measles, according to the Health Department.

Locations and hours of the health Department’s Local Health Units are available at www.healthy.arkansas.gov.

From the Arkansas News Bureau