Shelby County, Tennessee – The Shelby County Health Department confirmed the seventh case of measles in the Shelby County, Tennessee, on Friday.

The outbreak started with two cases reported in April 25, and the Health Department has been trying to find the reasons for the recent measles outbreak.

Measles vaccines are a must for Shelby County
As seen above, a toddler is being injected with the vaccine against measles. Shelby County has witnessed seven confirmed cases of measles, which can be considered as an outbreak. Image Credit: Commercial Appeal

The Health Department has identified 14 locations where people could have been exposed to measles. Therefore, the department is encouraging residents to receive the vaccine against the infection, called measles-mumps-rubella vaccine.

Measles infection

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection. The symptoms associated with the infection are high fever, runny nose, cough and red eyes. As well as a rash on the body a few days later, which spreads starting from the head down. Still, it can be prevented through a vaccine injected before getting measles. The illness can lead to pneumonia or brain inflammation, and complications can lead to hospitalization or death. People with the symptoms are advised to stay home and contact their doctor.

The Shelby County Health Department says people with measles’ symptoms need to call their health care provider at once. Only after they are diagnosed they can go to the office for evaluation. They recommend patients not to go to the emergency room unless they are in need of urgent medical care.

Students need to receive the vaccine

Officials of the Health Department say that the vaccine is necessary to prevent measles outbreak, and many of the students are unvaccinated. Due to the recent outbreak, Shelby County Schools (SCS) are asking the students to get the vaccine, for their safety and everyone else’s.

The department is keeping database of all the students that are receiving the vaccine, at district level. SCS stated that if a student has not received the vaccine, they will not be allowed to go to class until they get the first dose. The second dose will be received after seven days of the first dose.

Shelby County Health Department is working to educate family about the disease, providing information on its spread and prevention.

Source: NH Voice