A case of measles has been confirmed in an Orange County child who returned last week after international travel. With the exception of potential exposures at Los Angeles International (LAX) airport on February 19th, (additional information available here), there were minimal exposures. This was due in part to clinical staff having a high level of suspicion of measles and immediately taking appropriate infection control precautions.
Measles is an acute viral illness typically presenting with fever, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis, followed 3-5 days later by a rash. The maculopapular rash typically begins on the face and spreads down the torso and out to the extremities. The incubation period for measles ranges from 7-21 days after exposure and individuals are infectious from 4 days prior to rash onset until 4 days after rash onset. Measles is highly contagious and spreads via airborne transmission.
Individuals can be presumed to be immune to measles if they were 1) born prior to 1957 OR 2) have received two doses of measles containing vaccine OR 3) have documented positive IgG titer OR 4) documentation of prior disease…