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LINCOLN — A confirmed measles case in Platte County has been reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
The patient is an unvaccinated child with an out-of-state travel history in Arizona. Due to privacy, no further individual information will be provided.
Individuals present at the following public locations on the indicated dates and times may have been exposed to measles: Shell Creek Baptist Church, Columbus, on Dec. 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Columbus Community Hospital Emergency Department, Columbus, on Dec. 29 from 2 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Anyone who was at one of these places at those times should visit and fill out the risk assessment survey at the following link: https://epi-dhhs.ne.gov/redcap/ surveys/?s=CHAJNT3C9L9NEEY3 If you do not have access to the internet or need help filling out the risk assessment survey, call the East Central District Health Department at 402-562-8969.
Measles is an acute, highly contagious respiratory viral disease. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and rash. 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, non-immune pregnant and immunocompromised people are at greatest risk of developing severe complications from measles. There is no specific treatment for measles.
Immunization is the best way to protect yourself and your family against measles and other vaccine- preventable diseases. Children should receive their first dose of measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and another dose at four to six years of age. DHHS recommends Platte County parents of infants from six (6) to eleven (11) months old speak with their health care provider to discuss early MMR vaccination.
If you plan to travel, particularly internationally, or live in a measles- affected county, ensure you are up to date with your MMR vaccines, which can include an early dose of MMR vaccine for children six to 11 months of age.
