15 in NC have had measles this winter; 1 in hospital :: WRAL.com

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said one person is now in the hospital with measles.

This is the state’s first reported hospitalization. The department did not provide information about where the person is hospitalized.

The NCDHHS dashboard shows 15 measles cases across the state since the week ending on December 20.

One case was reported in Nash County on Jan. 27. The other 14 cases were in Union, Mecklenburg, Buncombe, Polk and Cabarrus Counties. Buncombe County has the most reported cases, with 6.

State data shows all but one of the people who got measles in North Carolina this winter were under the age of 17. Seventy-four percent of them had not been vaccinated.

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact and through the air. The virus can live for up to two hours in the air where the infected person was present. Symptoms of measles usually begin 7-14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:

• High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees)

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)

• Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) two to three days after symptoms begin

• A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin

• Measles can also cause complications, including diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and suppression of the immune system.

Anyone who develops symptoms should call ahead before visiting a doctor’s office, urgent care or emergency department to prevent possible spread to others.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recommends all unvaccinated people ages 1 year and older receive measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them. While MMR vaccination is not routinely recommended for children younger than the age of 12 months, MMR vaccination can be safely given to children as young as 6 months if they are at higher risk.