A case of measles has been confirmed in a New Hampshire resident, and well being officers stated it was linked to a world traveler who visited the state in June.
The Division of Well being and Human Providers stated the resident who examined constructive for measles visited a number of areas within the state whereas infectious, doubtlessly exposing others to the virus.
DHHS stated the worldwide traveler examined constructive for measles after returning house from a go to to Hanover in late June. A confirmed case in Vermont has additionally been linked to the traveler, DHHS stated.
Well being officers stated the New Hampshire resident had not been vaccinated for measles. Officers stated different unvaccinated individuals, individuals with weakened immune programs and infants too younger to be vaccinated who got here into contact with the resident may very well be vulnerable to being contaminated.
Officers launched areas and occasions the place publicity to the resident may need occurred:
- July 1, 1:30-3:30 pm: Peppermint Patty's, 25 Street Around the Lake, Grantham
- July 1, 5:30-11:30 pm: Sierra Buying and selling Publish, 200 S Fundamental Avenue, West Lebanon
- July 3, Sep 11:30 am: Dartmouth Co-op, 21 S Fundamental Avenue, Hanover
- July 5, 9 am-12:30 pm: Dartmouth Co-op, 21 S Fundamental Avenue, Hanover
- July 5, 11:45 am-6 pm: ClearChoiceMD Pressing Care ready room, 410 Miracle Mile, Lebanon
- July 6, 8-10:30 am: ClearChoiceMD Pressing Care ready room, 410 Miracle Mile, Lebanon
- July 6, 9:30 am-July 7, 1 am: Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Middle Emergency Division, 1 Medical Middle Drive, Lebanon
Anybody at these areas at these occasions who’s unvaccinated, who by no means had measles earlier than or who’s not sure of their immunity standing was requested to name the Division of Public Well being Providers at 603-271-4496 as quickly as doable.
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Relying on the date of potential publicity, people who aren’t protected and vulnerable to measles would possibly profit from preventative therapy, together with vaccination or measles antibody injection, to decrease their danger of growing measles, officers stated.
People who find themselves severely immunocompromised, even when beforehand vaccinated towards measles, would possibly profit from preventative antibody therapy as a result of vaccination may not be as efficient for them. Officers stated these individuals ought to contact their well being care supplier to see if therapy is really helpful.
“Measles is a extremely contagious however preventable illness,” stated Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist. “The 2-dose measles vaccine supplies lifelong safety in most individuals, and it’s the greatest safety towards measles and problems of an infection. Anyone who isn’t vaccinated is strongly inspired to speak with their well being care supplier about finishing the vaccine collection.”
The final case of measles in New Hampshire was in 2019, well being officers stated.
Measles is handed from individual to individual via the air when somebody with the an infection sneezes, coughs or talks. The virus can stay infectious within the air for as much as two hours after an contaminated particular person leaves the world. Measles may cause critical well being problems, particularly in kids youthful than 5 years previous.
Signs of measles embody excessive fever, cough, runny nostril and watery eyes a number of days earlier than growing a physique rash. To forestall the opportunity of spreading the virus, well being officers stated anybody who develops such signs ought to name their well being care supplier earlier than going on to a well being care facility.
