Washoe County notified of two possible measles cases

The Washoe County Health District received notifications Monday of two possible measles cases.

At this time, laboratory confirmation is pending; however, symptoms are consistent with measles.

No cases have been reported in Northern Nevada outside of Washoe County.

One case attended Spanish Springs Elementary School during the infectious period and the Washoe County Health District is requiring the Washoe County School District comprise a list of all susceptible (non-vaccinated and immunocompromised) persons in the entire school, and exclude these individuals from school immediately, with active monitoring for each of them, to be conducted by the Health District.

A letter will be distributed to the entire school notifying them of the possible exposure and requesting they self-monitor for 21 days for signs and symptoms of measles.

The second case, unrelated to the school district, may have exposed coworkers.

They will be notified by the Washoe County Health District to check immunity status, get vaccinated if they are not currently vaccinated and monitor for signs and symptoms.

The Washoe County Health District is also asking any persons who think they have measles to call your healthcare provider’s office, urgent care, or the emergency room before arrival.

The Washoe County Health District’s Communicable Disease Investigation Team will continue to monitor each case, and investigate contact exposures as needed.

For more information visit www.washoecounty/health or www.cdc.gov/measles/.

The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, or MMR, is 97 percent effective at preventing measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Measles spreads easily through the air and in enclosed spaces. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough and a rash all over the body. In rare cases, particularly among babies, measles can be deadly. Infection can also cause pregnant women to miscarry or give birth prematurely.

More than 100 cases of the measles have been reported in the U.S. since last month. Many cases have been traced directly or indirectly to Disneyland in Southern California.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.