Measles is the most contagious viral infection that we know of and can cause severe complications including high fever, birth complications, pneumonia, hearing loss, encephalitis (brain infection), respiratory failure and death especially in young children.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has been notified of one case of measles in a non-Los Angeles County resident who traveled to Los Angeles International (LAX) airport while infectious.

There is also a large measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico that has infected 124 patients in 33 days. Sadly a child with no health issues prior to being infected but was not vaccinated against the measles has died. 

Easily Preventable

Measles had been effectively eliminated in the U.S. according to the World Health Organization (WHO) for nearly 20 years but due to more frequent international travel and decreasing rates of MMR vaccination, measles is on the rise again worldwide including in the US

Most people in the U.S. are vaccinated against the measles, having received two doses of the measles-mumps-rueola (MMR) vaccine. It is part of the CDC’s routine immunization schedule.

It is also recommended that anyone traveling internationally check their immunization status before leaving the country.

Countries with recent measles outbreaks include the United States, United Kingdom, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and the Philippines.

More Than a Rash

Measles is most dangerous for babies, young children, and people with compromised immune systems. Symptoms typically start seven to 14 days after infection. Look for:

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

White spots appear in the mouth two to three days after symptoms start. The rash comes three to five days after symptoms start. A fever could spike as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit when this happens.

Potential Complications

Measles is miserable enough without the complications that could come with the virus. They include:

• Ear infections — for one of every 10 children with measles
• Diarrhea — for less than one of 10 people with measles
• Hospitalization — for one in five unvaccinated people
• Pneumonia — for one of 20 children. It’s the most common killer of young children.
• Encephalitis — occurs in one child of every 1,000 with measles. It can lead to convulsions, deafness, or an intellectual disability.
• Death — for one to three of every 1,000 children infected.
• Pregnancy complications — for women who get measles include premature birth or low birth weight babies.

Free Vaccinations at AltaMed

You can always get a free MMR vaccine at any AltaMed clinic. Better yet, we encourage you to follow your child’s immunizations schedule into adolescence so they are protected during every stage of life. At AltaMed, all the vaccinations the CDC recommends are available free of cost! We provide childhood and adolescent immunizations for patients 0-17 years of age.

It’s more important than ever to stay safe and healthy. Call us at (888) 499-9303 to schedule an appointment with your provider to stay on track with your child’s immunization timeline.