A West Virginia hospital has confirmed the primary recognized case of measles within the state since 2009, well being officers stated Monday.
The Monongalia County Well being Division stated WVU Medication alerted officers Sunday that an grownup affected person residing within the county examined constructive for the viral an infection. Well being officers haven’t pinpointed precisely the place and the way the affected person was uncovered however stated the individual had lately traveled overseas.
The affected person—who was partially vaccinated towards measles, having acquired one among two doses—had developed signs, sought medical remedy via the WVU Medication system and was instructed to remain house whereas awaiting lab outcomes.
One of many world’s most contagious ailments, measles can result in doubtlessly severe problems.
Dr. Brian H. Huggins, the county well being division’s incoming well being officer, stated the division is working with the hospital to establish individuals who got here into contact with the affected person.
“We actually need to emphasize that that is an sickness that individuals ought to take very significantly,” Huggins stated.
Nationwide, measles instances this yr already are almost double the full for all of 2023, elevating well being specialists’ considerations in regards to the preventable, once-common childhood virus. Well being officers have confirmed measles instances in a minimum of 17 different states up to now this yr, together with instances in New York Metropolis, Philadelphia and Chicago.
The U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention documented 113 instances as of April 5. There have been seven outbreaks and most U.S. instances—73%—are linked to these flare-ups.
Nonetheless, the depend is decrease than some current years: 2014 noticed 667 instances and 2019 had 1,274.
Most U.S. instances are introduced into the nation by individuals who traveled the place measles is way extra frequent.
Huggins stated West Virginia has not seen a case since 2009 largely resulting from its strict college vaccination legal guidelines. West Virginia is one among a handful of states that enables solely medical exemptions to vaccine necessities.
Final month, Republican Gov. Jim Justice broke with West Virginia’s GOP-majority Legislature to veto a invoice that will have allowed some college students who do not attend conventional public colleges or do not take part in sports activities and different group extracurricular actions to be exempt from vaccinations sometimes required for youngsters.
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West Virginia confirms first measles case since 2009 (2024, April 23)
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