North Idaho health officials have confirmed the state’s first measles case in a resident since 2023, according to the Panhandle Health District. The case was identified as an unvaccinated child in Kootenai County.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinctive rash.
While most people recover without problems, measles can lead to serious complications, especially in young children and those with weakened immune systems. The virus’s serious complications include pneumonia, encephalitis, and rare cases of death.
Health officials are urging residents to verify their vaccination records to ensure immunity against measles. A person is considered immune if they were born before 1957 or have documentation of a documented history of laboratory-confirmed measles or two doses of the MMR vaccine.
There is no antiviral treatment for measles, and people with symptoms should not enter healthcare settings without calling ahead. Residents exposed to measles should monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure.
Source: https://idahocapitalsun.com/briefs/health-officials-unvaccinated-north-idaho-child-is-states-first-resident-measles-case-since-2023