Measles Lands in Virginia
First commonwealth case spent time in Fredericksburg.
By Martin Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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On Saturday, the Virginia Department of Health announced that measles had made its way to commonwealth, as the disease continues to spread across the country.
The “patient is a child (0-4 years) in the Northwest Region who recently traveled internationally,” VDH reported in a press release.
VDH has identified two possible exposure sites in Virginia; one is in Fredericksburg.
Kaiser Permanente Caton Hill Medical Center, Advanced Urgent Care, located at 13285 Minnieville Road in Woodbridge on Tuesday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Kaiser Permanente Fredericksburg Medical Center, Pediatrics Department, located at 1201 Hospital Drive in Fredericksburg on Wednesday, April 16 from noon to 5 p.m.
In an email interview with the Advance, Allison Balmes-John — Population Health Manager at the Rappahannock Area Health District — said that “measles is highly contagious, but the measles vaccine is very effective at preventing illness. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles, and one dose is about 93% effective.”
She identified children under the age of one who have not received the vaccine, which is generally given between 12 and 15 months, are among those who are at highest risk. “If you have an immunocompromising condition,” Balmes-John continued, “it is advised that you consult with your healthcare provider.”
Asked if people require boosters, Balmes-John said:
If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine (such as MMR) you are considered fully vaccinated. No booster shot is required. People vaccinated from 1963-1968 with the inactivated measles vaccine should be revaccinated with at least one dose of live attenuated measles vaccine to be protected. If you have previously had measles or were born before 1957, you are considered protected and do not need to take any action. If you have any questions about this, it is a great idea to reach out to your primary care physician.
She said that vaccines are “widely available” at primary care offices, pharmacies, and health departments. Should you go to your health department, class ahead to make an appointment.
Balmes-John said that the current immunization rate for measles in the commonwealth is high, “with about 95% of kindergarteners fully vaccinated.”
The VDH press release noted that “measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start seven to fourteen days after being exposed. The second stage starts three to five days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appeared.”
Measles across the U.S.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, as of April 18 there were 800 measles cases across 25 states in the U.S. (this total does not include the case in Virginia). Unvaccinated people account for 96% of the cases.
Hospitalizations have occurred in 11% of the cases, and there have been two confirmed deaths; one death is being investigated.
According to NBC News’ measles tracker, there are no cases in neighboring West Virginia or North Carolina, while Maryland is reporting 3 cases, and the District of Columbia is reporting one case.
This is the second-largest measles outbreak since 2000 (there were 1,274 cases reported in 2019).
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The Commonwealth might have a higher rate of k-vaccination overall, but breakouts will happen in communities where that percentage is lower. And that “roughly” 95% is actually not good enough if we are interested in protecting people.
What’s the rate in the Fredericksburg area? I have met too many parents around here who have not vaccinated their kids for “religious” reasons to feel confident it is close to what it needs to be to achieve herd immunity
to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.
And what is the protocol at Spotsylvania and MWHC hospitals when a suspected case enters their building?
Pre-2019 non essential workers were sent home from an INOVA hospital when a patient showed up with a suspected case. The patient was put in a negative pressure room and everyone who interacted with them had to wear PPE.
Given public health measures aren’t what they were before COVID, I seriously question whether or not healthcare facilities will do their part to prevent spread to the public.