probably more cases of measles than COVID lately
SHERIDAN COUNTY, Neb. (KOLN) -
A vaccinated child in Sheridan County has tested positive for measles, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on Tuesday.
This is the first confirmed measles case in Nebraska from the recent outbreak in the U.S.
The child has no out-of-state travel history, but DHHS and the Panhandle Public Health District believes people who visited these public locations at the indicated date and times may have been exposed to measles:
Family Dollar Store in Rushville, NE on May 17 from 9 a.m. - noon
Gordon Memorial Hospital Clinic, Gordon, NE on May 21 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Those who may have been exposed should complete the risk assessment survey. If you do not have access to the internet or need help filling out the risk assessment survey, call PPHD at 308-633-2866.
Anyone with known measles exposure and no confirmed immunity should stay at home and away from others for 21 days from the last date of exposure, DHHS said.
If you think that you are having symptoms of measles, isolate yourself from others and call your healthcare provider, emergency room, or urgent care before arriving to be tested. Do not arrive at a healthcare facility without giving advance notice unless it is a medical emergency.
Measles is an acute, highly contagious respiratory viral disease. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and rash, according to DHHS. Although measles is usually considered a childhood disease, it can be contracted at any age. Children under the age of five, adults over the age of 20 years, nonimmune pregnant and immunocompromised people are at greatest risk of developing severe complications from measles. There is no specific treatment for measles.
DHHS recommends protecting yourself and your family against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases is by immunization. Children should receive their first dose of measles vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and another dose at four to six years of age. It is recommended that infants from six to 11 months old in Sheridan County receive an early dose of the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine. A resident with only one dose of MMR should receive their second dose as soon as possible.
