Health Officials Urge Vigilance as Measles Cases Rise
Although the risk of exposure to measles in the Bay Area is low, health officials recommend residents stay up to date with their vaccinations, especially if traveling internationally in the coming months.
An advisory sent out last Friday by Alameda County Health noted that measles is spreading worldwide, including popular tourist and business destinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 64 measles cases across 17 US metro areas, with more than 90 percent of those cases linked to international travel.
With three major airports, the Bay Area is a hub for international travel, increasing the potential for exposure to this highly contagious virus. For individuals or families that plan to travel internationally, anyone who is not vaccinated against measles is at increased risk of getting infected, according to Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Nicholas Moss.
Case in point, a man returning from an overseas trip unknowingly contracted measles and may have exposed patrons at The Sons of Liberty Alehouse in San Leandro on March 9, Alameda County Health officials said.
“Two doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine are recommended for full protection,” Dr. Moss said.
Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (pink eye), followed 2-4 days later by a rash. The virus is transmitted by infectious droplets through direct contact or the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Infectious droplets can linger in indoor air for several hours.
About one in five people infected with measles require hospitalization, and nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications, according to the CDC. Measles presents the greatest risk to children under 5 years of age, adults over 20 years of age, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems.
Dr. Moss suggests checking your immunization records or contacting your provider to see if you are protected.
Last week, the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (HCSA) rebranded itself as Alameda County Health (or AC Health for short). It revised the naming of most of its associated departments. Each department’s services remain unchanged. The Alameda County EMS Agency and HealthPAC will retain their current names.
Behavioral Health Care Services, the Department of Environmental Health, the Public Health, the Department of Homeless Care and Coordination, and the Center for Healthy Schools and Communities will see their names change.
The departments and services are listed on the Health.AlamedaCountyCA.gov website.