County Health Officials Urge Measles Vaccinations

Although there have been no confirmed cases of measles in Maryland to date, Prince George’s County Health Department officials are urging residents to get vaccinated to guard against the highly contagious, and sometimes fatal, disease.

Vaccination is highly effective at preventing measles and is required for all Prince George’s County school children who are not exempt because of religious beliefs, the department says.

There are now more than 120 confirmed cased of measles nationwide since first reports in January centered on exposure at Disneyland in California. Last month, Washington, D.C., confirmed its first case of measles this year, but noted the infected patient was an isolated incident due to international travel, and not associated with the California outbreak.

A suspected measles patient in Fairfax County, VA, this week tested negative for the disease.

“Measles is a serious respiratory disease caused by a virus and is highly contagious,” said Pamela B. Creekmur, health officer for Prince George’s County. “All persons who are susceptible to measles need to be vaccinated now.”

That includes anyone who has not received two doses of the measles vaccine and/or measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

Symptoms of measles infection includes a high fever, cough, runny nose, red/watery eyes and a rash that usually starts behinds the ears or on the face and spreads to the neck, trunk, arms and legs 2-7 days later. Measles can cause pneumonia, encephalitis and death.

The disease is transmitted through coughing or sneezing and can remain in the air for up to 2 hours. Health officials say infected people are contagious from four days before their rash begins through four days after the rash appears.

If you suspect that you have measles, officials say you should notify your physician. Patients who go to an emergency room or urgent care center should immediately tell the health-care workers that you have measles so you do not sit in the waiting room and expose others.

Contact the Prince George’s County Health Department as soon as possible at 301-583-3750, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or 240-508-5774 during after hours, holidays, and weekends, to report the illness and to ask any questions regarding measles.

For additional information about measles visit the county health department website.

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