What This Story Is About
- Measles cases are increasing in East Tennessee, though none have been confirmed in Knox County. Knox County Health Department officials are urging residents to check their vaccination status.
Why It Matters
- Measles is highly contagious and can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis and long-term neurological problems. Health officials say two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing the disease.
- Knox County health officials say they are continuing to monitor measles activity across the state. Anyone who thinks they or their child may have measles is asked to call their healthcare provider before going in for evaluation.
For Context
- Six of Tennessee’s nine confirmed measles cases this year are in the East Tennessee region. None of the state’s cases so far have required hospitalization. A Knox County Health Department assessment from 2022-23 found about 93% of kindergarten students in the county were fully vaccinated, though about a quarter of schools had rates below 90%.
Catch Up
KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) – There are no confirmed measles cases in Knox County, but six cases have now been confirmed across East Tennessee. Knox County health officials say they are working to keep it that way.
The newest state report, released last week, shows five new cases of measles in East Tennessee. The state did not say which counties the cases are in. That is in addition to one case reported in the region earlier this year. Statewide, nine cases have been confirmed this year.
What symptoms look like
Measles can first look like other illnesses, with about four days of fever, a runny nose and a cough. A rash then starts on the face and moves down the body…