There hasn’t been a case of measles reported in Lancaster County since 1990, but local health officials say they are concerned following four confirmed cases in Platte County. ” Given what we are seeing across the state of Nebraska with these four cases, and what’s happening in several other states, it’s always possible we could see measles here,” says Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Director Kerrey Kernen.
Kernen tells KLIN News they are closely monitoring the situation. “Measles is an infectious disease that can spread very quickly and make some people severely ill.” She says symptoms start with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes followed by a red rash that begins on the face and spreads down the body.
She says one of the biggest concerns is how easily measles can be brought into the community from travelers. “Some of the cases we have seen across the country are travel related, so if an individual is unvaccinated and gets exposed they could definitely bring this back to Nebraska.”
She says vaccination is the best way to avoid getting measles and Kernen is urging residents to check their vaccination status to make sure they have protection against the disease. Those most at risk of getting measles are people who have had no doses of measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR) or who have not had the measles.
Kernen says any adult or child who is unvaccinated and exposed to a positive measles case will need to stay home for 21 days.