Measles is a disease that can spread very quickly and make some people severely ill. Vaccination is the best way to prevent measles.
Measles spreads easily. It’s spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and the virus can remain in the room for two hours after the infected person has left. One person can spread it to many others if the other people in the room are not protected.
Vaccination is the most effective way to avoid getting the measles. Studies show that two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are about 97% effective against measles and that protection is long lasting. Most people receive MMR vaccine as a child. The CDC recommends children receive two doses of the vaccine. The first dose is recommended at ages 12 to 15 months and the second dose at ages 4 to 6 years.
A person has a high level of protection against measles if they’ve had two doses of the MMR vaccine or were born before 1957, which was prior to the vaccine when most people had measles as children and developed immunity.
Residents are encouraged to check their vaccination status:
Year of Birth
Do you need measles vaccine?
Before 1957
No vaccine needed.
Most people had measles as children and developed immunity.
1957-1962
May need second dose.
Check with your health care provider.
1963-1967
Some vaccine during this time was less effective.
1968-1989
Likely received one dose of vaccine (93% effective).
After 1989
Likely received two doses of vaccine (97% effective).
No action needed unless you’re unsure of your vaccination status.
Check your records or talk to your health care provider.
Those most at risk of getting measles are people who have had no doses of MMR vaccine or who have not had the measles. If you’re not current on your MMR vaccine, talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about getting vaccinated. Any adult or child who is unvaccinated and exposed to a positive measles case will need to stay home for 21 days.
If you or your child has measles or believe you have been exposed, isolate yourself away from others and call your health care provider, urgent care or nearest emergency room before arriving to be tested. Do not arrive at a healthcare facility without giving advance notice.
The incubation period is typically 11–12 days from exposure to measles virus until the first symptoms appear. A rash follows the prodromal symptoms 2–4 days later and usually lasts 5–6 days.
People are most infectious before showing signs or symptoms from four days before developing the measles rash through four days after rash onset.
Pregnant women should not receive the vaccine. Pregnancy should be avoided for 4 weeks after vaccination with MMR. The use of good coughing/handwashing techniques helps in controlling illnesses. Persons who may have been exposed should be educated on the signs and symptoms of measles and should seek medical attention as soon as any of these symptoms begin.
There is no specific treatment for measles but you can take actions to relieve symptoms. Anyone with measles should not go back to childcare, school, or work until 4 days after the rash has disappeared and is no longer symptomatic. Contacts to a measles case should have their immunization status evaluated.
Please call the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department’s Communicable Disease Program at 402-441-8053.
Measles | Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Measles (Rubeola) | CDC
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