MCHD working with WVU Medicine on first state measles case since 2009

Apr. 22, 2024

MCHD working with WVU Medicine on first measles case since 2009

MORGANTOWN, WV (April 22, 2024) — Monongalia County Health Department was notified Sunday by officials from WVU Medicine of a confirmed case of measles (rubeola). MCHD was in contact with WVU Medicine once measles was suspected last week and the patient was instructed to isolate at home.
“Monongalia County Health Department is diligently working with WVU Medicine to identify all people who came into contact with the patient within the WVU Medicine system and is actively reaching out to inform those individuals of the exposure,” said Dr. Brian H. Huggins, MCHD’s incoming health officer.
“Additionally, MCHD is in conversation with the patient to identify other places this individual traveled while symptomatic.”
Any people identified through this investigation as having been exposed will also be notified, Dr. Huggins said.
The adult resident of Monongalia County developed symptoms and sought medical treatment through the WVU Medicine system. Upon symptom identification, the patient was instructed to isolate at home. Lab work was confirmed positive for measles on Sunday.
Once put into isolation, close contacts, including family members, were educated on isolation and symptom identification, said Edward Abbott, RN, program manager of MCHD Infection Control and Disease Prevention.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection. Symptoms of measles can present seven to 14 days after exposure and include high fever that can spike to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, runny nose and red watery eyes. Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash will form, starting on the face and spreading downward to the trunk and limbs.
In one out of every 1,000 measles cases, patients can develop encephalitis and subsequent brain damage. One to 3 of every 1,000 children infected with measles will die from respiratory and/or neurologic complications.
“We really want to emphasize that this is an illness that people should take very seriously,” Dr. Huggins said.
The risk for fully vaccinated individuals of developing the disease is very low, he added. In an unvaccinated population, each infected person can on average spread the disease to nine or 10 people. If an individual with measles leaves a room, the virus can hang in the air and infect others for up to two hours.
People are contagious from four days prior to and four days after the rash appears, Huggins stated.
It’s important to note, Huggins added, that individuals who believe they have symptoms consistent with measles should first call their health-care provider’s office to make an arrangement to be seen safely.
“Because of the highly infectious nature of the disease, it is not recommended that individuals just present to a health-care facility,” Dr. Huggins added.
Measles was declared eradicated in 2000. Because of West Virginia’s strict school vaccination laws, the state had not been affected by recent outbreaks that have taken place in several areas of the United States. This is the first known measles case in West Virginia since 2009.
Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease via the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR). To receive an MMR vaccine, call Monongalia County Health Department to make an appointment at 304-598-5119.
“Immunity from the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine can wane over time. If you are concerned about your immunity status, you can ask your health-care provider to check for antibodies in your blood via a titer,” Dr. Huggins said.