Confirmed Measles Case Reported in Platte County

COLUMBUS, neb. - Health officials in Platte County are investigating a confirmed measles case.

The East Central District Health Department says the patient is an unvaccinated child with an out-of-state travel history in Arizona. Officials warn that people may have been exposed at Shell Creek Baptist Church in Columbus on Christmas Eve from 4:30 to 8:30. They could also have been exposed at the Columbus Community Hospital Emergency Department on Monday from 2:00 A-M to 6:30 A-M.

The health department stresses that there's no specific treatment for measles and that immunization is the best way to protect yourself and your family.

Measles is an acute, highly contagious respiratory viral disease. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and rash. Although measles is usually considered a childhood disease, it can be contracted at any age. Children under the age of five, adults over the age of 20 years, non-immune pregnant and immunocompromised people are at greatest risk of developing severe complications from measles.

If you plan to travel, particularly internationally, or live in a measles-affected county, ensure you are up to date with your MMR vaccines, which can include an early dose of MMR vaccine for children six to 11 months of age.

If you think that you are having symptoms of measles, isolate yourself from others and call your healthcare provider, emergency room, or urgent care before arriving to be tested. Do not arrive at a healthcare facility without giving advance notice unless it is a medical emergency.