The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health is urging residents to protect themselves by staying current with the measles-mumps-rubella – or MMR vaccine – as measles are on the rise.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 58 measles cases nationally from Jan. 1 to March 14 of this year and the majority of the cases have been linked to international travel.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles typically begins with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes and within a few days a red, blotchy rash appears, usually first appearing on the face and spreading downward to the rest of the body. People can be contagious with measles four days before the onset of rash and four days after.
The CDC recommends that individuals get vaccinated with the MMR vaccine to protect themselves. Children less than six months of age who are planning on traveling should receive the MMR vaccine prior to departure. Teens and adults should also be up to date on their MMR.
If you have symptoms and believe you may have been exposed, please contact your healthcare provider immediately. Before visiting a healthcare facility, call ahead so that measures can be taken to prevent the spread of measles.
