Measles has reared its head in Mecklenburg County, marking North Carolina's first confirmed case since 2018. According to a news release from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, a local child contracted the disease during international travel, as reported by WBTV.
Health officials are sounding the alarm on this highly contagious disease, which can lead to serious complications like pneumonia and encephalitis, particularly in children under five. "Measles is on the rise globally and in the U.S.," Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo-Tilson, North Carolina Health Director, said in a release, and she urged a combined effort from parents, schools, and healthcare providers to ensure vaccinations are up to date, according to WCNC. Despite a 94% MMR vaccination rate among kindergarteners, the recent case highlights the need for ongoing vigilance to maintain herd immunity.
The NCDHHS and Mecklenburg County Health Department are collaborating to enhance readiness for any more measles cases. The infected child’s parents limited public exposure by keeping the child at home, except for one precautionary medical visit.
"You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, even up to two hours after that person has left," health officials pointed out in a news release. Uninsured children in North Carolina can access free vaccines through the state's Vaccines for Children program, a crucial asset in preventing outbreaks. While the identity of the Mecklenburg County case remains confidential due to privacy reasons, the report from WSOCTV confirms that health officials are taking this outbreak seriously and are urging the public to do the same.
