The CT Department of Public Health announced Friday that a case of measles has been reported in a child in Fairfield County.
The child has not yet been vaccinated against measles and was infected while traveling internationally, DPH officials said.
Officials warn that measles is a highly contagious disease that can spread quickly among unvaccinated people. However, DPH said most people exposed to the virus are not at risk because they have either been vaccinated in the past or had measles before vaccination became routine.
One dose of measles vaccine is about 93% effective in preventing the virus if exposed and two doses are about 97% effective.
DPH officials said two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine are needed to attend Connecticut schools and colleges. However, students with medical or religious exemptions may attend school without being vaccinated.
Adults must have at least one dose of measles vaccine. Some groups need two doses of MMR, including: students, health professionals, international travelers and people at high risk for measles complications, according to officials.
Adults born in the United States before 1957 are considered immune to the virus of the past exposures, but in situations where measles exposure is likely, these adults may benefit from a dose of the MMR vaccine to be safer, DPH said.
Measles symptoms usually begin seven to 14 days after exposure. If infected, a typical case will start with mild to moderate fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and sore throat. Three to five days after the onset of these symptoms, a red or reddish-brown rash appears, which usually begins on a person’s face at the hairline and spreads down to the entire body. At the time of the rash, a person’s fever can rise to over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to officials.
The rash usually lasts at least a few days and then disappears in the same order. People with measles can be contagious up to four days before the rash and for four days after the rash.
“The best way to protect yourself and your children from measles is to get vaccinated,” said DPH Acting Commissioner Dr. Deidre Gifford. “While the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, some children were left behind by their immunizations. This case of measles is an important reminder that these vaccine-preventable diseases are another threat and that we need to protect children from timely vaccination. ”
Exposed people who are not vaccinated against measles are advised to stay out of school or other high-risk settings for 21 days after the last known exposure, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC recommends that all children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at four to six years of age.
DPH said it is working with local partners to identify contacts and implement appropriate control measures.