Measles

Feb. 11
American Press, Lake Charles, Louisiana, on measles:
The Louisiana health department recently issued an alert to health care providers to be on the lookout for measles cases.
Some states, such as California, have experienced outbreaks of the disease, which has spread throughout the nation and raised awareness about a disease once thought eradicated from this nation.
Louisiana law requires that all children entering school to be up-to-date on required vaccinations, such as measles. State law also requires that health care workers report measles immediately upon suspicion.
The symptoms of concern are: fever of 101 degrees or more and generalized maculopapular rash, usually beginning on the face and spreading to the trunk, with the presence of one or more of the following: cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis.
Measles is a highly contagious disease transmitted through the respiratory route ...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from Jan. 1-30, 102 people from 14 states were reported to have measles. Most of these cases are part of a large, ongoing multi-state outbreak lined to Disneyland in California.
The 14 states with reported cases as of Jan. 30 are Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Washington ...
While no cases have been reported in Louisiana as of Feb. 5, the disease is on the comeback, and parents should consider having their children vaccinated. People born between 1958 and 1989 may have only gotten one measles vaccine and could need a booster. A blood test will show if you have full protection.
Online:
http://www.americanpress.com