LINCOLN, Neb. — The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department has announced the detection of measles in Lincoln’s wastewater. Samples collected on Jan. 26 and 28 at the Theresa Street Water Resource Recovery Facility revealed the presence of the virus. However, samples from Jan. 30 showed no traces of measles. Despite the detection, no new measles cases have been reported in Lancaster County since the initial case on Jan. 28.
Health Director Kerry Kernen emphasized the importance of monitoring wastewater samples, stating, “We expected to see more instances of measles detected in wastewater since we did have a case of the disease in the community and people can shed the virus for days to weeks even after they’re no longer contagious.”
Residents are encouraged to check their measles vaccination status and ensure they are up to date with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first dose at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years. Two doses are about 97% effective against measles…