WYOMING — On Aug. 2, the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) confirmed the seventh recent case of measles in the state.
On July 1, the WDH identified the state’s first case of measles since 2010. According to the WDH, an unvaccinated child contracted the illness in Natrona County, and the source of the exposure was not identified.
Two weeks later, on July 11, another unvaccinated child was confirmed with measles in Niobrara County. The WDH wrote on its website that there was no known connection between the two cases in Natrona and Niobrara counties.
The WDH then identified five cases of measles in Carbon County, after first confirming the illness in the region in an unvaccinated adult on July 22. The four new cases reported on Aug. 2, included both adults and children who were exposed to an individual with confirmed measles infection. Three of the individuals were unvaccinated at the time of exposure, and one was vaccinated but is immunocompromised. None were hospitalized.
The WDH is working with Environmental Health and Safety Services and local hospitals to notify exposed individuals.
“We are asking people who may have been exposed to watch for measles symptoms for 21 days past the exposure date and consider avoiding crowded public places or high-risk settings such as daycare centers,” WDH State Epidemiologist Clay Van Houten said via press release. “Monitoring for symptoms is especially critical for people who have not been vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.”
According to the WDH, measles is caused by a “highly contagious” virus that is easily spread through the air and settles on surfaces. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infectious individual leaves an area.
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body. People who get sick with these symptoms should call their healthcare provider for guidance.
Measles can cause serious illness, including pneumonia, encephalitis, hospitalization and, in some cases, even death. Babies who are too young to get vaccinated, pregnant women who are not immune and people with weak immune systems are more likely to have serious problems if they get measles.
“If you have symptoms of measles, stay home and avoid contact with others unless you are getting healthcare,” the WDH wrote. “Avoiding contact with babies, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems is especially important.”
WDH recommends that all Wyoming residents ensure that they and their children are up to date on measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines, which provide highly effective and long-lasting protection against the virus.
For more information on measles, including guidance on what to do if exposed, visit the WDH website. As more information becomes available, WDH will post locations of potential exposure, if any, and updated case counts.
