5/30/14 CDC advisors to assist in measles outbreak

  • By Nick Sabo
  • May 30, 2014
  • 373
                        
SUMMARY: The Ohio Department of Health has confirmed 20 cases in Holmes County. CDC officials will assist in investigating the outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control will be in Holmes County, assisting with investigations into a measles outbreak that has involved six Ohio counties and sickened at least 177. Holmes County Health Commissioner Dr. D.J. McFadden said at least three CDC advisors will begin working collaboratively with local health districts the first week of June. Two of the CDC personnel will be based in Holmes County, McFadden said. “They will be here working at the invitation of the counties affected,” McFadden said. “They will be out actively looking for cases of the measles. Passively looking is us answering phone calls (about cases), actively is going out and knocking on doors.” Since the first reported case of measles in Knox County in late April, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has confirmed 177 cases in Ashland, Coshocton, Holmes, Knox, Richland and Wayne counties. As of May 30, Holmes County has 20 confirmed cases of measles. The Holmes County Health District has hosted several clinics distributing MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella) vaccine. So far, the district has distributed 4,300 doses of vaccine, McFadden said. Outbreaks can be measured in waves, McFadden said. A wave occurs when an infected person infects others before symptoms appear. The first wave is when the infected person begins showing symptoms. The second wave is when those who had contact with the infected person become sick. McFadden said Holmes County is in its sixth wave of infection. McFadden said the data so far does not point to an end of the outbreak. “I’d like to believe that we are slowing down but I don’t have the data to make that pronouncement,” McFadden said. McFadden said the 4,300 MMR vaccines distributed represent “closer to half” of the target population. Holmes County has a large unvaccinated population, who do not vaccinate for religious or other reasons. The outbreak began when unvaccinated travelers went on a mission trip to the Philippines and brought the disease back. The first reported cases were in Knox County. So far, the ODH has confirmed 111 cases in Knox County. The health district has been encouraging exposed and sick individuals to self-quarantine. The health district will be holding free MMR vaccine clinics on the following dates at the following locations: June 5, Berlin Mennonite Church, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; June 9, Keim Lumber, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; June 12, Weaver Leather, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; June 19, Paint Township Fire Station, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Measles is spread by droplets that can be transmitted when sneezing or speaking. The symptoms of measles generally begin seven to 14 days after infection and include a blotchy rash, fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and fatigue. A typical case of measles begins with fever, cough, red eyes, sore throat and runny nose. Two or three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth. A reddish-brown rash appears three to five days after the start of symptoms. For more information, contact the Holmes County Health District at 330-674-5035.


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