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| About two dozen cases of measles have been reported in California this year. |
An outbreak of measles swept through Butte County this past month, with outbreaks also occurring in nearby Tehama and Shasta counties.
As of April 19, there were 10 confirmed cases of measles in Butte County, one in Tehama County and three more in Placer County.
Measles is highly contagious but has been eradicated in many areas after a measles vaccine was developed. In 2000, the disease was declared eliminated by public health officials.
Measles outbreaks occur when an unvaccinated adult contracts the disease and then spreads it to other unprotected individuals in the area, according to Dr. Andrew Miller, Butte County public health officer.
By 2000, the number of people with measles was around 37. It had increased to nearly 667 by 2014, according to the Butte County Public Health Department.
The disease is often brought in by unvaccinated travelers, both American and foreign, coming from the Americas.
Once brought into the United States, people who are unvaccinated make themselves susceptible to the disease.
Measles is rarely deadly but can have many dangerous effects on health.
Butte County estimates that 6-10% of people with the disease will get an ear infection, diarrhea and even pneumonia.
As the disease progresses, one out of 1,000 people will develop inflammation of the brain. About two per 1,000 will die from the disease.
After the initial cases are discovered, the Butte County Public Health team goes through an extensive process to contain the disease.
“The role of the health department, in this case, is to facilitate the diagnosis and send labs down to the state,” Miller said.
The health department then begins to communicate with health providers about how to test for measles, which can be difficult because the disease has been contained for many years, according to Miller.
The purpose of testing and providing information to doctors is to contain the disease and keep it from spreading.
Once cases are confirmed in a given area, communication begins to take place with the public.
Contact between the county and the public is vital in educating the population on signs and symptoms, Miller said, in addition to finding resources if someone believes they have been exposed to the virus.
“Extensive interviews with those affected then take place, dating back to eight days previous. We cover very specific times and places they have been within the time period,” Miller said.
After the times and locations where exposure took place are confirmed, the health department releases a list so that anyone who thinks they may have been exposed can get help.
People who show symptoms of the measles virus and have not been immunized, they may be quarantined until the virus’ contagious period is over.
Miller said nearly 400 investigations took place and an additional 250 to 300 were done by the county over the past couple of weeks.
In California, children are required to be vaccinated before they start school, with the MMR vaccine included in these requirements.
“ SB277 requires immunizations for entry into public and private schools,” said Monica Soderstrom, Nursing Director for Butte County Public Health.
The vaccine serves as immunization for the measles, mumps, and rubella viruses.
There are a few ways for the public to determine if they are immune to the virus;
- If a blood test confirming that they are immune
- If they have ever had measles
- If they have received two doses of the MMR vaccine.
Adults born before 1957 are also considered immune to the disease because most had contracted the disease as children due to how widespread it became.
The vaccine is vital in protection from the disease. It is important that people get two doses of it.
One dose of the vaccine is only 93% effective in protecting from the virus. In addition, three out of 1,000 adults who are vaccinated can still contract the virus.
Twenty locations in Chico came into contact with the disease by those affected. Many of these sites are located in downtown Chico, with one exposure in Ayers Hall at Chico State.
Four additional exposures were reported in Oroville.
Butte County Public Health is continuing to work closely with the State Health Department to investigate confirmed cases in Butte County, according to the department website.
“The best way for the public to protect themselves during a spread like this is to just get their vaccinations,” Miller said.
~~ Chloe Curtis