A child in Maine has been reported to have the measles. This makes the 10th case of the virus this year in the U.S. The Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the youth had tested positive for measles on Friday evening.
While the child is vaccinated for the virus, the Maine CDC stated that the youth is still considered infectious. Furthermore, they wanted citizens to know the locations the child had been prior to detection.
Locations the Infected Child Had Been
If anyone was in these locations during these time periods they should Take precautions:
- Family Time Dine and Play — located at the Auburn Mall (Auburn, Maine). The youth was there on April 29 between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Clear Choice MD — located at 273 Payne Road Scarborough, Maine. The child was there on May 1 between 1 p.m. and 4 p,m,
- Hannaford (Mill Creek Hannaford) — located on Cottage Road in South Portland, Maine. The youth was here on May 1 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Mercy Fore River Emergency Department — located at 175 Fore River Parkway in Portland. The child was here on May 2 between 7:45 p.m. and 3 a.m. (May 3).
If anyone was at any of these locations during said time periods, they should be on the watch for any symptoms. These symptoms could appear for up to 21 days after exposure. If anyone notices they have symptoms they should contact the health care providers prior to going to the office or hospital.
Measles Signs and Symptoms
Measles are not just a rash that people can see. They are also extremely dangerous for babies and young children. Typically, an infection begins with:
- High fever that could reach temperatures of more than 104°F.
- Cough.
- Coryza (runny nose).
- Red, watery eyes — conjunctivitis.
Within two to three days after symptoms appear, people may see Koplik spots. These are tiny white spots that show up inside the mouth. A rash will break out roughly three to five days after symptoms start. Usually, a measles rash begins as flat red spots that appear at the hairline. Then it spreads downward to the neck, chest/abdomen, arms, legs, and feet.
Measles Cases Over the Years
As of April 28, 2023, there had been 10 cases of measles reported in eight jurisdictions. In 2022, there were 121 cases reported for the whole year. Additionally, these cases were reported in six jurisdictions.
Furthermore, measles can also cause pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and death. People can spread the virus through sneezes and coughs. An individual can spread measles from four days before their rash starts through four days afterward.
Measles remain alive for up to two hours on surfaces and in the air. In addition, there are no asymptomatic cases of measles.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
CDC: Signs and Symptoms
WMTW: Exposure concerns after Maine child tests positive for measles
CDC: Exposure concerns after Maine child tests positive for measles
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Stanley Zimny (Thank You for 66 Million views)‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image by Philip Kane, MD. Courtesy of Atlas of Pulmonary Pathology‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
