Measles case reported June 11 in Beaufort County. Were you exposed? – Bluffton Today

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has reported a confirmed case of measles in an adult Beaufort County resident which is not related to an earlier case reported in Hampton County.
The department said the person’s vaccination status is unconfirmed and they did not have immunity from a previous measles infection. No other information was provided about the person’s location or identity.
“As we continue to see measles cases in South Carolina, it is critical that health care providers and the public be aware of the symptoms associated with this disease and take immediate action if they encounter or experience them,” Dr. Brannon Traxler, interim DPH director, said. “Measles is highly contagious, and swift action is necessary to prevent spread in our communities.”
The source of the exposure is also unknown, and the department said there is no known connection between the case reported June 11 and the current June 3 case in Hampton County.
More: Measles case reported June 3 Measles reported in Hampton County; What to know, how to protect yourself
The department said the person presented at a local provider June 6, and lab confirmation of measles was received June 10.
Notifications to identify potentially exposed persons were underway June 11.
There were also multiple locations the department identified during its investigation where exposures to infectious measles have occurred.
DPH has defined the times of potential exposure at the following locations and times:
Publix Super Market at Lady’s Island61 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort, S.C.
Beaufort High School graduation, BHS Football Stadium84 Sea Island Parkway, Beaufort, S.C.
Dataw Island Community Center pool/gym3 Marina Drive, St. Helena Island, S.C.
“The risk of exposure in the locations is limited to the specific dates and times announced,” A DPH news release said. “These locations are not a source of ongoing exposure, and businesses and locations identified are not responsible for a person with measles having been present.”
The department said those who believe they were exposed at Publix, especially those without immunity through vaccination or previous disease, should monitor for symptoms for three weeks (21 days) after the exposure date. Those exposed at Beaufort High School’s graduation, the department said, should monitor for symptoms through June 24. The last day of symptom monitoring for those exposed at the Dataw Island Community Center is June 25.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health also provided information about measles and its symptoms.
“Measles is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death,” a DPH representative said. “The initial symptoms of measles include fever, cough and runny nose. These symptoms are followed by a rash. The rash usually lasts five or six days.”
The virus can also be spread through the air when a person with measles breathes, coughs or sneezes. Measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after the sick person has left the area. People who have measles should stay home for four days after their rash first appears.
The best way to prevent measles is through vaccination, DPH said, and the measles vaccine is over 97 percent effective. Children should receive two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine: the first at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second at four to six years of age.
Children ages six to 12 months should get an early dose of MMR vaccine if they are traveling to a country where measles is common. For all ages, DPH said it is important to talk to your doctor if you are going to be traveling to another country.
DPH said most people born before 1957 were infected with measles during childhood and therefore are presumed to have protection via natural immunity, even if they have not been vaccinated.
DPH also said certain groups of people, including pregnant women and immunocompromised people, should not receive the MMR vaccine or should delay receiving it. DPH recommended and encouraged people to speak with their healthcare provider to evaluate the risks and benefits of vaccination.
For more information about measles, visit the DPH website or CDC website.

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