Health Officials Confirm Measles Case in Middle Tennessee

Concerns have been growing across the nation as a measles outbreak has spread to eleven states, including Kentucky, and now Tennessee.

A Confirmed Case of Measles in a Tennessee Resident

The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed a case of measles in a middle Tennessee resident. The Department of Health did not make clear if the confirmed case is in an adult or child, and did not reveal the individuals gender or ethnicity.

Over Three Hundred Confirmed Cases Nationwide

Health officials say the individual became infected in early March and they say they are working to identity any locations or persons that may have been exposed to the virus. The outbreak has now infected more than 300 people across the United States. Two deaths have occured as a result of the outbreak.

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Measles Virus is Airborne and Highly Contagious

Measles is an airborne viral infection that can survive in the air for up to two hours after an infected individual is gone. The virus is highly contagious and early symptoms take 8-12 days to develop after exposure.

Symptoms of Measles Take 8 - 12 Days to Develop

Symptoms of the measles virus include a high fever, runny nose, cough, and watery eyes. Additionally, measles is most commonly known to cause a rash. The measles rash typically appears around 3-5 days after the onset of the other symptoms.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that causes a red, blotchy rash which commonly appears on the face and behind the ears, spreading down the chest and back to the feet, arms, and legs. It usually affects babies and young children, but even in previously healthy children, measles can cause serious illness requiring hospitalization. Fortunately, it is easily preventable through vaccination.

Measles Cases Around the Globe are On the Rise

There has been a significant increase in measles cases across the world, including here in the United States.The first death linked to measles since 2015 was an unvaccinated child

What To Do If You Need Medical Care and Suspect You Have Been Infected

Experts say that if you are presenting symptoms of the measles virus that you should alert your healthcare provider before you go to their office to help ensure others are not exposed to the virus.

[SOURCE: Tennesse Department of Health]