Measles is spreading in Montana. As of June 2, the state has 15 confirmed cases. Two of these individuals were hospitalized due to serious illness. From April 17 to May 5, Gallatin County Public Health reported eight cases. Over the past week, Gallatin reported two new confirmed cases, Hill County reported its first three cases and Flathead County reported its second case.
Cases are also increasing across the region. North Dakota has reported 27 cases and Canada is reporting multiple outbreaks. Measles, a highly infectious viral illness, spreads primarily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
It’s so contagious that 9 out of 10 people exposed will become infected if they are not protected. The illness typically begins with a high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and white spots in the mouth. About three to five days after symptoms begin, a red rash starts on the face and spreads downward to the rest of the body.
Measles is especially serious for children under age five, pregnant women, and those with a weakened immune system. Serioushealth complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs), encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and even death are common.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control warns of the following complications:
Hospitalization: About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles is hospitalized due to their illness.
Pneumonia: As many as 1 of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
Encephalitis: About 1 of every 1,000 children who get measles develops encephalitis, often leading to convulsions and leaving the child deaf or with an intellectual disability.
Death: Nearly 1-3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles die of respiratory and neurologic complications.
The best protection against measles is vaccination. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a safe and effective immunization that provides long-lasting protection. One MMR dose is 93 percent effective against measles, while two doses has a 97 percent efficacy rate.
The CDC considers you protected from measles if you have documents proving:
-
You received TWO DOSES of measles-containing vaccine, and you are a(n)—
-
school-aged child (grades K-12)
-
adult who will be in a setting that poses a high risk for measles transmission, including students at post-high school education institutions, healthcare personnel, and international travelers
-
You received ONE DOSE of measles-containing vaccine, and you are a(n)—
-
preschool-aged child
-
adult who will not be in a high-risk setting for measles transmission
-
A laboratory confirmation that you had measles at some point in your life OR that you are immune to measles
-
You were born before 1957
If you’re unsure of your immune status, contact your healthcare provider or Jefferson County Health Department at 406-225-4007 for guidance. If you think you or a family member has measles, please call your primary care provider or medical facility to receive guidance before arriving for evaluation to prevent unnecessary exposure to others.
For more information visit https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/cdepi/diseases/Measles/.
Pam Hanna is the Jefferson County Public Health Supervisor, contact her at phanna@jeffersoncounty-mt.gov.
