Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, Mo
65102

For Immediate Release:
June 25, 2004

Contact:
Sue Denny
Division of Environmental Health and Communicable Disease Prevention
573-751-6439

Measles Case in an Adopted Child from China

On June 18, 2004, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) was notified of a confirmed case of measles in a child recently adopted from China. The child arrived at the Kansas City, International airport on June 9 and was likely infectious at the time. She was on Southwest Airlines Flight #1979, arriving at 1:30 PM.

Following arrival, the child received medical evaluation and was isolated as soon as measles was suspected. Individuals known to have had contact with the child are being contacted by public health officials and informed that they may have been exposed to measles. They are being advised to contact their health care providers if they experience symptoms of the disease. They should let the health care provider know that they suspect measles before they arrive at the office so that providers can take appropriate measures to control infection.

Measles virus causes rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation, and fever. It usually begins with high fever, cough, and runny nose. After about 2 days, a rash appears, which lasts five to six days. It can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and, rarely, death. It is highly communicable among those who have never had the vaccine or disease.

"It is unusual to see cases of measles in the United States, but there are many countries where it is not uncommon. Measles and other diseases may begin to resurface because of international travel," according to Bryant McNally, director, Division of Environmental Health and Communicable Disease Prevention, DHSS. "Parents should make sure that they and their children are appropriately vaccinated against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases."

"The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines are in one shot administered after the age of one year. You can get the best protection from two shots at least 30 days apart," said McNally.

"Almost all children and young adults are protected by vaccine, and the CDC reports that people born in 1957 or earlier are immune because they have had the disease or been exposed," explained McNally. "However, no vaccine is 100 percent effective, and physicians and the general public should be watchful for symptoms of the disease."

"Measles vaccine has been required for school attendance in Missouri since 1974, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 97 percent of Missouri's two-year-olds have received the vaccine," said McNally. "The vaccine is more than 95 percent effective in preventing the disease."

If you would like to report a suspected case of measles, please contact your local health department, Section for Communicable Disease Prevention at DHSS at 573-751-6113, or DHSS at 800-392-0272, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.