Press Release
Lincoln, NE — A confirmed measles case in Platte County has been reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The patient is an unvaccinated child with an out-of-state travel history in Arizona. Due to privacy, no further individual information will be provided. Individuals present at the following public locations on the indicated dates and times may have been exposed to measles and should visit and fill out the risk assessment survey at the following link: https://epi-dhhs.ne.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=CHAJNT3C9L9NEEY3
- Shell Creek Baptist Church, Columbus, NE, on December 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Columbus Community Hospital Emergency Department, Columbus, NE, on December 29 from 2 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
If you do not have access to the internet or need help filling out the risk assessment survey, call the East Central District Health Department at (402) 562-8969.
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, non-immune pregnant and immunocompromised people are at greatest risk of developing severe complications from measles. There is no specific treatment for measles.
Immunization is the best way to protect yourself and your family against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Children should receive their first dose of measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and another dose at four to six years of age. DHHS recommends Platte County parents of infants from six (6) to eleven (11) months old speak with their health care provider to discuss early MMR vaccination.
If you plan to travel, particularly internationally, or live in a measles-affected county, ensure you are up to date with your MMR vaccines, which can include an early dose of MMR vaccine for children six to 11 months of age. Contact your health care provider to check your and your family's vaccination status against measles. If you have not had two doses of MMR vaccine, talk to your health care provider or local health department right away.
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/measles/index.html