We at Pathway Pediatrics are committed to providing the most up-to-date information and best practices concerning the health and safety of our patients and families.

The Alabama Department of Public Health has issued information regarding the potential for an outbreak of measles in the state of Alabama. As of 4/25/19, there have been no confirmed cases of measles in Alabama. However, there have been confirmed cases in our neighbors Georgia and Tennessee, and one confirmation of an infected individual from the Tennessee outbreak who drove through Alabama, making stops in Fort Payne and Livingston.

It is important that you and your family be well-informed on the potential health risks this poses.

Measles is highly contagious and is spread through respiration of or contact with the virus. It usually spreads through coughing and sneezing of an infected person. It can also be spread through air ventilation systems, even without direct contact. The virus can live for 2 hours in an airspace where an infected person coughed or sneezed. Measles is so contagious that up to 90% of non-immune people close to an infected individual will become infected. Measles is most contagious for the four days prior to development of the rash and four days after appearance of the rash.

Is my family protected?

Any person who has received 2 doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is protected from the measles virus at 97%. The MMR vaccine is routinely given at 12 – 15 months of age, and at 4 – 6 years of age. Any healthy person who has received 2 doses of MMR is 97% protected from the measles virus

Children who have received only 1 dose of MMR are at risk for contracting measles. This will usually be children under the age of 5.  We recommend considering to give the second dose of MMR early to increase immunity in light of the serious nature of a potential outbreak of measles in our area. Children 12 months and older may receive a second dose of MMR 28 days after the first dose. Any child 12 months and older who receives 2 doses of the MMR vaccine at least 28 days apart will satisfy the requirement for complete MMR immunization. For example, a child who received the first MMR at age 12 months and gets his second MMR at 3 years old will require no further immunization for MMR.

Children under 12 months of age are at greatest risk for contracting measles as they have not received the first MMR vaccination. Infants 6-11 months are eligible for an MMR and we recommend consideration of this to prevent the measles infection. Giving a dose of MMR between the ages of 6 and 11 months will not count as one of the two doses needed for complete immunization. These children will still need 2 doses of the immunization at least 28 days apart as early as 12 months of age.

Our recommendations to consider for prevention against the infection and spread of measles:

• Infants 6 – 11 months: 
  • 1 dose of MMR now
  • Will need routine immunization at 12+ months and after 28 days of the first dose
• Children 12 months and older with no MMR doses
  • 1 dose of MMR now
  • 1 dose of MMR given at least 28 days after first dose
• Children 12 months and older with 1 dose of MMR
  • 1 dose of MMR given at least 28 days after first dose
• Children ages 4 and older with 2 doses MMR
  • Have completed immunization for measles and are 97% protected

 

What are the signs and symptoms of measles?

To accommodate the seriousness of the potential for a local outbreak we will be providing MMR vaccinations to healthy children as a nurse only visit.  Please call our office to schedule an immunization visit. Please note that any child with systemic symptoms, including but not limited to fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, eye redness/drainage, congestion, or abdominal symptoms will not be eligible for a nurse only visit and will be required to see a provider in combination with receiving the immunization. Please call our office at 256.208.0060 (Sylacauga) or 205.678.1286 (Chelsea) for an appointment or for questions.

Signs and symptoms of measles appear 7-14 days AFTER infection has occurred. Initial symptoms include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes

2-3 days after symptoms begin some people develop a red throat with tiny white spots on the roof of the mouth or on the inside of the cheeks.

3-5 days after symptoms begin, a rash will appear. The measles rash usually begins with tiny red flat spots on the face at the hairline and then spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. The spots may start to join together as the rash progresses. Once the rash appears fever may spike to 104 degrees or higher.

Anyone with a high fever (>102.5) with a cough, runny nose or red/watery eyes should seek immediate medical evaluation. Please call our office at 256.208.0060 (Sylacauga) or 205.678.1286 (Chelsea) for an appointment or for questions. You may also send us a message through your patient portal for a faster response.

What if I am exposed or I contract measles?

If your child is exposed to or diagnosed with measles please contact our office immediately for further information regarding care and prevention. Because measles is so contagious anyone diagnosed with a measles case must be reported to the state health department and must be quarantined. Those exposed to the measles virus also must be quarantined. Persons with unverified measles undergoing testing for infection must remain home to avoid exposure until measles infection has been ruled out. General quarantine guidelines are:

• Anyone exposed to measles should stay home and avoid contact with others for 2 weeks, or for at least 4 days after development of the measles rash.
• Anyone diagnosed with measles should stay home and avoid contact with others until at least 4 days after development of the rash.

For more information regarding measles, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/signs-symptoms.html

https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/immunization/measles.html

Please call our office at 256.208.0060 (Sylacauga) or 205.678.1286 (Chelsea) for an appointment or for questions. You may also send us a message through your patient portal for a faster response.