CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- If you keep up with current news, chances are you have seen reports of an outbreak of measles occurring within the United States.
The recent outbreak has allegedly been linked to the Disneyland amusement park located in Anaheim, California.
As of Jan. 30 2015, 102 people from 14 states were reported to have the disease. No cases have been confirmed in New Mexico to-date; however, neighboring states have been diagnosing patients with the measles.
Though measles is often brought into the country by travelers from other countries, the source of this outbreak has yet to be determined. People acquire the measles by coming into contact with an infected person. Measles is a highly-infectious airborne virus and spreads very easily. In fact, measles is one of the most contagious diseases known.
Like most other diseases, measles is spread by coughing or sneezing. It is possible for the virus to live up to two hours on a surface, or in the air after an infected person has coughed or sneezed. In most confirmed measles cases, the infected person was unvaccinated.
The time it takes for people to show clinical signs and symptoms from a measles infection is typically 7-21 days from the time they were exposed to an ill person. People with the measles infection can develop a variety of symptoms beginning with a fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.
After these symptoms develop, small white spots inside of the mouth can be seen. More severe symptoms such as a rash and fever of up to 104-degrees Fahrenheit can develop. Left untreated, measles can lead to further complications and may be fatal.
Young children who are unvaccinated are at the highest risk of measles infection. Serious complications, such as death occur more in children who contract measles than adults. Other risk groups include unvaccinated pregnant women and people with low immune systems.
The best way to protect against measles is by the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends individuals get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Other prevention methods include washing your hands frequently; even going the extra step as to asking others to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze and being well educated about the measles.
Further information can be found at www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html, or by contacting the Public Health office at 575-784-4926.