First Confirmed Measles Case Reported in Nebraska

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​MEDIA CONTACT
Alycia Davis, 531-249-8079, alycia.davis@nebraska.gov

Lincoln, NE — A confirmed measles case in Sheridan County has been reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The patient is an appropriately vaccinated child with no out-of-state travel history. Due to privacy, no further individual information will be provided. Individuals present at the following public locations at the indicated date and times may have been exposed to measles and should visit and fill out the risk assessment survey at the following link: https://redcap.link/Measles_Sheridan0525

• Family Dollar Store in Rushville, NE on May 17 from 9am-Noon
• Gordon Memorial Hospital Clinic, Gordon, NE on May 21 from 8am-1pm
  
  If you do not have access to the internet or need help filling out the risk assessment survey, call the Panhandle Public Health District at 308-633-2866. Additionally, contact your health care provider to check you and your family's vaccination status against measles. If you have not had two doses of the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, talk to your health care provider or local health department right away.
  
  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, nonimmune pregnant and immunocompromised people are at greatest risk of developing severe complications from measles. There is no specific treatment for measles.
  
  The best way to protect yourself and your family against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases is by immunization. Children should receive their first dose of measles vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and another dose at four to six years of age. It is recommended that infants from six to 11 months old in Sheridan County receive an early dose of the MMR vaccine. A resident with only one dose of MMR should receive their second dose as soon as possible.
  
  In the United States, the MMR vaccine is generally first given at 12 months of age, but is sometimes recommended for children as young as six months of age who are traveling internationally or could be exposed in a local outbreak. Any Nebraskan planning to travel, particularly internationally, needs to ensure they are up to date with their MMR vaccine. If you have not had two doses of the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, talk to your health care provider or local health department right away about getting caught up. The MMR vaccine is safe and 97% effective at preventing measles after two doses.
  
  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.

For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mmr/public/index.html or https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html.

Local Health Department Contacts

Nebraskans can use the QR code below or visit the following link to find the LHD in their region: https://arcg.is/0a4jXi