The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has been notified that an unvaccinated child traveling through the state this month has tested positive for measles.

ADPH is conducting an investigation and has learned the probable settings where the child could have exposed others.

“Measles is a serious viral respiratory illness that lives in the nose and throat mucus of infected people,” the agency states in a news release.

Approximately 300 measles cases have been confirmed in a current outbreak in western Texas. According to the state department, a single measles case “will infect up to 95% of unvaccinated people who are exposed. One case is also expected to result in 12 to 18 additional cases.”

Up to 20-30% of infected people have complications from the disease, especially children less than 5 or adults over 20 years of age. Complications can include pneumonia, brain swelling and even death, the department states.

“Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is effective in preventing measles. Although the exposure of the child to others while in Alabama is thought to have been low, this case serves as a reminder for the public to stay up to date on the measles vaccine,” the department states.

Vaccine recommendations are as follows:

• The first dose of the MMR vaccine is recommended for children at 12 through 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Two doses are over 97% effective in preventing measles.
•  If a person has not been vaccinated and is exposed to a case of measles, one dose of MMR within 72 hours of exposure reduces the chance of getting measles.
•  Infants and children, students at post-high school institutions and health care staff should get two doses of MMR.
• Adults born after 1956 should get at least one dose of MMR.
• Women of childbearing age should get at least one dose of MMR before getting pregnant if they do not have records of complete vaccination.
• International travelers should be up-to-date with MMR vaccine before traveling.

When seeking medical care, unvaccinated persons who are experiencing flu-like symptoms, fever or a new rash should call ahead to their health care provider to inform staff of their symptoms so they can be safely accommodated. Individuals with measles are contagious four days before their rash onset through four days after their rash started to appear.

For more information, visit https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/immunization/measles.html