Today, the District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH) confirms an additional case of measles, bringing the total count of measles cases in Washington, DC to two confirmed cases.

The recent case of measles in the District of Columbia is not linked to the outbreak in California, and there is no indication that the cases confirmed to date in 2015 are related. DOH officials have contacted all persons known to have been exposed to the infected person and recommend they be vaccinated if they are not already immune. All DC residents unsure of their vaccination status who have not previously had measles are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. It is especially important that children over 12 months old get vaccinated.

“As we continue to monitor this situation, residents are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” said DOH Director, Dr. LaQuandra S. Nesbitt. “Adequate prevention and protection of measles requires we work together as a city to educate, inform and help ensure residents are equipped with the necessary tools and resources needed to reduce possible new cases of measles in the future. We are asking all healthcare providers to review their patients’ immunization history at every visit to ensure that everyone is protected.”

Measles is a highly contagious illness that may have the following symptoms: fever, pink or red eyes, and cough, followed by a red blotchy rash that appears on the 3rd to 7th day beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. The disease is more severe in infants and adults.

Transmission:

Measles is spread from person-to-person by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of an infected person or through the air from an infected person’s coughing or sneezing. Symptoms can appear from 7 to 21 days, but most commonly at 14 days following exposure. It is estimated that 90% of individuals exposed to a person infected with measles who are not immune will become infected. People who have not had the disease or who have not been successfully immunized through vaccination are at risk for infection.

Prevention:

Measles can be prevented by a two dose vaccination. This is a safe and highly effective vaccine. The first dose of measles vaccine is usually given between 12 and 15 months of age. A second dose of vaccine is given at school entry (4 to 6 years of age). Both doses are generally given as a combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Residents should contact their health care provider to discuss MMR vaccination history as well as possible exposure to measles.

For more information, visit doh.dc.gov.