How to Spot the Measles
U.S. faces largest outbreak in seven years as kids head to summer camp.
May 2, 2008— -- They're getting ready to pack their bags and head to camp. But as kids prepare to share close quarters, there's something parents should know: The United States is facing its largest measles outbreak in seven years -- and measles spreads fast.
After someone with measles coughs or sneezes, the virus lingers for up to two hours after that person walks away.
"The thing about measles is that it's extremely contagious," said Anne Schuchat, director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. "Somebody could get measles without ever having been in the office at the same time as the first child."
The CDC Thursday announced a series of measles outbreaks between January and April 25 that resulted in 64 measles cases in the United States -- the highest number reported in the same time period since 2001. Officials blame a spike in the number of travelers bringing measles in from Israel and Europe. Once in the United States, measles has been able to take hold because more and more people are choosing not to get vaccinated, Schuchat said.
Eleven of the U.S. residents who contracted measles were between the ages of 5 and 19 years old.
"My suggestion would be that summer camps oblige all foreign students to be immunized," said Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of the department of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University's School of Medicine in Tennessee.
As for American students spending the summer away from home? "Clearly they ought to have their immunization status completely reviewed," he said.
What to Look For
A rash, high fever, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes are all symptoms of the measles, according to the CDC.
But for parents and camp counselors, that could look a lot like other problems as well.
Fortunately, Schnaffer said there are other distinguishing symptoms, including a "very, very characteristic" rash that starts on a person's trunk and spreads to the limbs, face and the neck. Upon closer observation, doctors also see tiny white spots on the inside of the infected person's mouth.
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