Measles hits northwest Iowa

"This situation is being treated as an emergency public health threat," a press release from the Iowa Department of Public Health stated. "Measles spreads easily and can cause serious disease and death."

IDPH and local health officials have identified locations the child visited while infectious and may have exposed people to measles.

Those people who have been exposed to measles can be prevented from getting the disease by being vaccinated or receiving immune globulin.

Any adults and children who visited the following locations in Spencer at the listed times should check to make sure they have received two MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccines.

Those older than their mid-50s and know that they had measles as a child do not need to be vaccinated.

Wednesday, April 15

* Avera Health Spencer Family Care from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

* Spencer Indoor Soccer Complex (Easter Egg Hunt) from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

* Dayspring Assembly of God church from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

* Spencer Burger King from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

* Spencer Wal-Mart from 7:45 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

* Hope-The Junction church in Spencer (services) from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

* Spencer Burger King 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

* Spencer Hy-Vee grocery store from 12:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

* Longhouse-Northshire nursing home in Spencer from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

* Spencer Hospital emergency room from 7:45 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Measles is so contagious it can be transmitted even after the ill person has left the building, or can be transmitted by passing an ill person in the hallway.

If you suspect you or your child may already have symptoms of measles, call your health care provider immediately. Do not go to the doctor's office, ER or a walk-in clinic until arrangements are made to be seen by your health care provider in a place and manner that will not potentially expose others to measles.

Since we do not know where this child was exposed to measles, there may be others in the community either with measles or already exposed to measles, thus everyone needs to watch for the symptoms of measles. These symptoms include fever, cough, red/pink eyes, runny nose and a rash.

Anyone, regardless of age, who has not had measles or has not been adequately immunized, can get measles if exposed.

Most cases occur in unimmunized preschoolers and young adults. Measles can be a serious illness, causing pneumonia, deafness, and brain inflammation. Two to three people out of 1,000 who get measles die from the disease. It is easily spread through the air and there is no treatment for the illness, so prevention is critical.