Oklahoma Health Department Confirms Measles Case In Stillwater

The Oklahoma State Department of Health has confirmed a case of measles in Stillwater and says others may have been exposed.

The department said Friday this is the first confirmed case of measles in Oklahoma since 1997. The infected person is an international traveler married to an Oklahoma State student and lives off campus.

According to the Health Department, persons who visited the following locations in Stillwater may have been exposed to the measles virus:

· Aldi (1188 N Perkins Rd) March 13

· Crepe Myrtle Market (613 S Lewis) March 13

· Food Pyramid (421 N Main St) March 13

· Boba Fusion Café (211 N Perkins Rd) March 13

· China Wok (917 N Perkins Rd) – March 14

· Jimmy's Egg (811 W 6th Ave) March 16

· University Health Services on March 17 or 19

Persons who believe they may have been exposed should contact their local county health department. You are protected if you are immunized with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine after your first birthday, or if you were born during or before 1957.

The Health Department is working with the Payne County Health Department, Oklahoma State University and local medical facilities in the investigation.

According to the Health Department,  persons who are susceptible to measles usually develop symptoms about 10 days after exposure with a range of 7 to 18 days. Symptoms of measles begin with a mild to moderate fever, runny nose, red eyes, and cough. A few days later, a rash appears starting on the face spreading to the rest of the body accompanied by a fever that can reach up to 105 degrees. Measles can lead to pneumonia and other complications, especially in young children and adults over 20. The disease can also cause serious problems in pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease. People with measles can spread the virus up to four days before the onset of the rash and until four days after the rash starts. Measles can be prevented with the measles vaccine (usually given in combination with rubella and mumps, called MMR vaccine), and is recommended for all children at 12 to 15 months of age and again at four to six years of age. If a person has not received a second dose of the vaccine between four to six years of age, the booster dose may be given at any age thereafter. Two doses of vaccine normally provide lifelong immunity.