COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Health officials confirmed a third case of measles in Idaho, raising concerns that the highly contagious virus is spreading within communities across the state.
The latest case involves an unvaccinated child in Bonner County, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and Panhandle Health District. Officials found no connection between this case and a Kootenai County case announced last week. A separate measles case was also reported in Eastern Idaho this month.
“Without any link between these two confirmed cases in north Idaho or travel outside of their communities, it’s reasonable to suspect that there is more measles circulating,” said Dr. Christine Hahn, state epidemiologist and Division of Public Health medical director at DHW.
The measles virus spreads easily through the air when infected people breathe, cough or sneeze. The virus can remain airborne for two hours after an infected person leaves an area.
Symptoms typically develop seven to 14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a distinctive rash.
“Among measles cases, typically 13% will need hospitalization, and among young children that percent jumps to 21%,” Dr. Hahn said.
Health officials are urging residents to verify their vaccination status with healthcare providers or through the Docket App. People are considered immune if they were born before Jan. 1, 1957, have documented laboratory-confirmed measles or received both doses of the MMR vaccine.
Anyone experiencing measles symptoms should call their primary care provider immediately before visiting the office to ensure proper precautions prevent disease spread.
For more information about measles, visit www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html.
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