Originally reported by our friends at Oil City News.
(Natrona County, WY) – The Wyoming Department of Health has confirmed a case of measles in an unvaccinated child from Natrona County. This case is the first reported in Wyoming since 2010.
The child was in the Banner Wyoming Medical Center Emergency Department Waiting Room while infectious on June 24 from roughly 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on June 25 from 12:55 to 2:55 p.m. People in the location at those times were possibly exposed to measles. The WDH reports that it is working with Banner Wyoming Medical Center to notify these individuals.
“We are asking individuals who were potentially exposed to self-monitor for measles symptoms for 21 days past the exposure date, and consider avoiding crowded public places or high-risk settings such as daycare centers,” WDH state health officer Dr. Alexia Harrist said.
The source of the child’s measles exposure was not identified.
Measles is a highly contagious infection that can cause severe illness. People exposed to measles typically develop symptoms seven to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever, coughing, runny nose, red eyes and a characteristic rash that usually starts several days later on the face and spreads down the body.
People who have received the MMR vaccine or were born before 1957 are generally considered immune.