New Orleans-area child contracts measles; public exposed in Kenner

A child from the New Orleans area has been hospitalized after contracting measles during international travel, Louisiana health officials said Wednesday. It’s the first case of the virus reported in Louisiana this year. 

The pediatric patient was partially vaccinated and is receiving treatment in isolation, according to the Louisiana Health Department. Officials said the child might have exposed others to the measles Friday at the Target and Walmart Supercenter locations in Kenner. Anyone who believes they were exposed should contact their doctor and their regional epidemiologist with the Louisiana Department of Health for additional guidance.

Measles is highly contagious, with 90% of unvaccinated individuals getting infected if they are exposed. The virus is particularly dangerous for babies, young children, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems.

Symptoms of measles generally appear a week to two weeks after a person is infected. They include a high fever that can spike as high as 104 degrees, a cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Tiny white spots might appear inside the mouth within two to three days after symptoms are present. A body rash, starting on the face at the hairline, will emerge in three to five days once symptoms are evident. In most cases, the fever subsides and the rash fades after a few days.

The measles vaccine is the best way to prevent infections. Adults need at least one dose of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine given after the age of 1. People born before 1957 or who had measles as a child are considered immune. 

Pediatricians advise a series of two MMR doses for children, the first between age 12-15 months and the second at 4-6 years. 

For confidentiality reasons, health officials provided no additional information about the infected child other than that they reside in state health Region 1, which includes Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes.

Measles cases have been on the rise globally for the past two years amid a rise in anti-vaccine sentiment. In the U.S., more than 2,500 cases and three deaths were reported last year. Through mid-March of this year, the measles case count was close to 1,500 with cases reported in 31 states. 

Nearly all of the cases have been part of outbreaks, and nearly 75% have been persons 19 and younger, the CDC reports.