April 09, 2008

Health Officials Urge Parents to Protect their Children from Measles

Idaho parents are urged to check the immunization records of their children, as outbreaks of measles have erupted in two western states this year, California and Arizona. Public health officials are worried that the highly contagious, respiratory illness could be imported and spread in Idaho because many children are not up-to-date on their immunizations.

“Measles can be very serious, especially in infants, pregnant women and people whose immune systems are weakened,” says Rebecca Coyle, Idaho Immunization Program manager. “We are concerned because one in nine Idaho kindergarten-aged children are not fully protected against this preventable disease. Measles is common in many countries, and can just as easily be brought to Idaho as other states.”

Measles is an infectious viral disease that occurs most often in the late winter and spring. It begins with a fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis (pink eyes), followed by a rash that spreads over the body. Measles itself is unpleasant, but the complications are dangerous. Six to 20 percent of the people who get the disease may experience complications that could include an ear infection, diarrhea, or in rare instances, pneumonia or encephalitis. Pregnant women who develop measles are more likely to miscarry, deliver prematurely, or have a very low birth weight baby. Before the measles vaccine was introduced, 450 people in the United States died from measles each year.

Parents of children who need immunizations or those who would like to check the immunization status of their children should contact their health care provider or local health department In Idaho, low-income families who cannot afford vaccinations can receive them on a sliding-fee scale or free of charge at most district health departments.

Additional information about measles and international travel is available at the CDC Website.