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Wednesday, May 14, 2008 12:02 PM CDT
On the lookout
DISCLAIMER: The Courier provides our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. For a more in-depth explanation of our policy, please see our Rules of the Road. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.
On the lookout
By AMIE STEFFEN, Courier Staff Writer
WATERLOO --- The good news is that not a single measles case has been reported in Iowa.
The bad news? There could feasibly be one. Very soon.
The Iowa Department of Public Health recently said the state is at "high risk" of seeing a measles outbreak, due to current outbreaks around the United States and including Midwest states like Illinois and Wisconsin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 64 cases of measles since January.
"All we're saying is look, there are measles in neighboring states. If you see anybody with these symptoms, get tested," said IDPH state epidemiologist Patricia Quinlisk. "Right now ... (it's) sort of like when conditions are right for a tornado. What we do is take action before we even know."
Those who have been vaccinated with two doses, commonly given to children born after 1957, or those who have had a confirmed case of measles should be immune from the disease, according to officials. Quinlisk said Iowa's school-age vaccination rate is at around 98 percent.
Many of the recent measles cases occurred in children whose parents did not have them vaccinated for "religious or personal beliefs," according to the CDC. Only one of the 64 confirmed measles cases had prior documentation of measles vaccination.
Symptoms of measles include a rash, fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, cough, runny nose and bloodshot eyes. If left untreated, it can also lead to pneumonia, encephalitis and death.
Measles is so highly contagious that those suspected of having it aren't even advised to come into a waiting room, said Quinlisk. Many doctors have been making house calls to suspected measles patients, or meeting them in their cars in the hospital parking lot.
"If you think you're sick, don't go into a waiting room and cough on everybody --- it's just incredibly contagious," she said. "That's the time to avoid everybody."
Those concerned about contracting measles can simply make sure their vaccinations are up-to-date by calling their doctor. If they aren't, a measles-mumps-rubella vaccination is one of the most prevalent vaccines out there, Quinlisk said.
Both Covenant Medical Center and Allen Hospital said they have seen no cases of people coming in with measles-like symptoms, but noted they have plans in place to deal with measles just in case.
Cindy Bengston, infection control practitioner for Wheaton Franciscan Health Care, said education and vaccination are the best defenses against a measles outbreak in Iowa.
"Measles is a high-risk disease, and complications from measles are bad," Bengston said. "It's very important that we're watchful for it."
For more information, visit www.idph.state.ia.us or www.cdc.gov.
Contact Amie Steffen at (319) 291-1464 or amie.steffen@wcfcourier.com.
The bad news? There could feasibly be one. Very soon.
The Iowa Department of Public Health recently said the state is at "high risk" of seeing a measles outbreak, due to current outbreaks around the United States and including Midwest states like Illinois and Wisconsin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 64 cases of measles since January.
"All we're saying is look, there are measles in neighboring states. If you see anybody with these symptoms, get tested," said IDPH state epidemiologist Patricia Quinlisk. "Right now ... (it's) sort of like when conditions are right for a tornado. What we do is take action before we even know."
Those who have been vaccinated with two doses, commonly given to children born after 1957, or those who have had a confirmed case of measles should be immune from the disease, according to officials. Quinlisk said Iowa's school-age vaccination rate is at around 98 percent.
Many of the recent measles cases occurred in children whose parents did not have them vaccinated for "religious or personal beliefs," according to the CDC. Only one of the 64 confirmed measles cases had prior documentation of measles vaccination.
Symptoms of measles include a rash, fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, cough, runny nose and bloodshot eyes. If left untreated, it can also lead to pneumonia, encephalitis and death.
Measles is so highly contagious that those suspected of having it aren't even advised to come into a waiting room, said Quinlisk. Many doctors have been making house calls to suspected measles patients, or meeting them in their cars in the hospital parking lot.
"If you think you're sick, don't go into a waiting room and cough on everybody --- it's just incredibly contagious," she said. "That's the time to avoid everybody."
Those concerned about contracting measles can simply make sure their vaccinations are up-to-date by calling their doctor. If they aren't, a measles-mumps-rubella vaccination is one of the most prevalent vaccines out there, Quinlisk said.
Both Covenant Medical Center and Allen Hospital said they have seen no cases of people coming in with measles-like symptoms, but noted they have plans in place to deal with measles just in case.
Cindy Bengston, infection control practitioner for Wheaton Franciscan Health Care, said education and vaccination are the best defenses against a measles outbreak in Iowa.
"Measles is a high-risk disease, and complications from measles are bad," Bengston said. "It's very important that we're watchful for it."
For more information, visit www.idph.state.ia.us or www.cdc.gov.
Contact Amie Steffen at (319) 291-1464 or amie.steffen@wcfcourier.com.
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DISCLAIMER: The Courier provides our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. For a more in-depth explanation of our policy, please see our Rules of the Road. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.
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