(Santa Ana, CA) — The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed a case of measles in a toddler who recently travelled domestically. The HCA is notifying individuals who were exposed to the child at a health care setting. No additional community exposure is suspected as the child’s family was isolating during the contagious period.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 1,514 confirmed cases of measles in the United States this year, with 23 new cases reported in the past two weeks. This represents the highest annual case count in more than 30 years.
“Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause severe illness such as pneumonia, brain swelling and even death, especially in young children who are not protected,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. “In recent years, approximately 1 in 8 people diagnosed with measles in the US have required hospitalization. Among children under 5, that number rises to 1 in 5.”
Common symptoms include fever, cough, red watery eyes, and a rash that typically begins on the head before spreading down to the rest of the body. Measles is the most contagious disease known, and spreads very easily through the air and by direct contact with an infected person. People are contagious from approximately four days before the rash begins through four days after the rash appears.
Anyone who suspects they may have measles should call their medical provider before arriving at the medical office, to avoid exposing others. Clinicians should immediately report any suspected measles cases to the OC Health Care Agency for guidance and testing coordination.
Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles.
About measles immunization:
- Over 800 million doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine have been administered worldwide. Decades of research and real-world experience show that the vaccine is highly effective at preventing serious illnesses like measles, mumps, and rubella.
- While no medical intervention is completely without risk, most side effects from the MMR vaccine are mild – like a sore arm or low fever. Serious reactions are rare, and the vaccine’s protection against dangerous disease far outweigh the risks.
- Public health agencies around the world, including the CDC and World Health Organization (WHO), continue to monitor vaccine safety closely.
- The CDC’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practice and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommend MMR vaccination to protect against measles, mumps and rubella.
- Immunizing household members including children, adolescents and adults is the best way to protect infants who are too young to receive the MMR vaccine.
- Infants should receive their first MMR vaccine at 12-15 months of age. The second dose of MMR is given at 4 to 6 years of age before going to school.
- Measles is found in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
- Children 6 to 12 months of age who are traveling internationally are recommended to receive a dose of MMR vaccine prior to travel, to decrease their risk of infection.
- Children 12 months and older as well as adults should receive two doses, at least 28 days apart, before travel if not already vaccinated.
For more information about measles, visit www.cdc.gov/measles or www.ochealthinfo.com/measles.
Free Measles Vaccinations in Orange County, CA
Here are places where you can get a free measles (MMR) vaccination in Orange County, California:
- Orange County Health Care Agency Immunization Clinic
- Address: 1725 West 17th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706
- Phone: (800) 914-4887
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Services: Free vaccines for uninsured children and limited adult vaccines
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
- Examples: AltaMed, Families Together of Orange County, Serve the People
- Services: Free or low-cost vaccines for uninsured or underinsured patients
- Call ahead to confirm MMR availability
- Local school-based health centers
- Some offer free immunizations for students and families
- Check with your school district or county health department
- Community health fairs and pop-up clinics
- Often hosted by nonprofits or public health agencies
- May offer free MMR shots without insurance
If you have health insurance you can go to just about any pharmacy, including those at Costco and Sam’s Club, and get a free measles vaccination.
ABOUT THE OC HEALTH CARE AGENCY
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is a regional interdisciplinary health jurisdiction and an accredited health department, charged with protecting and promoting individual, family and community health through partnership and coordination of public and private sector resources. Visit www.ochealthinfo.com to learn more about services and resources.