One measles case has been confirmed in Cascade County.
The City-County Health Department is investigating the case and said July 16 that the individual is a reported vaccinated adult, but their vaccination status has not yet been confirmed and the source of the exposure remains unknown.
CCHD said the individual is isolating at home and CCHD is continuing to assess any potential exposures while the individual was contagious and may be contacting individuals known to be exposed.
No measles cases confirmed in Cascade County; officials continuing to monitor recent exposure
CCHD has determined there are potential exposure points to the general public and will post those to the county website as information becomes available.
The spread of measles can occur before people know they have the disease and before any rash appears.
The times listed related to exposures include the period when the exposure occurred and two hours after, which is how long the measles virus can remain airborne.
The local exposures are:
- July 6, 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. Walmart at 5320 10th Ave. S., monitor for symptoms through July 27
- July 7, 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. Walmart at 5320 10th Ave. S., monitor for symptoms through July 28
- July 8, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Walmart on 10th, monitor for symptoms through July 29
- July 12, 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Rib and Chop House, 21 3rd St. N., monitor through Aug. 2
- July 12, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Great Falls Clinic Walk-in at 3000 15th Ave. S. only includes this location, monitor for symptoms through Aug. 2
- July 14, 10 p.m. to 9 a.m., Walmart on 10th, monitor for symptoms through Aug. 4
Individuals who are immune to measles through vaccination, laboratory evidence of immunity, laboratory confirmation of disease, or were born before 1957 are not considered at risk for infection.
Measles exposure reported in Cascade County, no positive cases yet
According the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97 percent effective at preventing measles and one dose is 93 percent effective.
“Breakthrough infections (when someone becomes infected after they have been vaccinated) can occur, especially in communities experiencing an outbreak where high levels of measles virus are circulating. The number of breakthrough infections (approximately 5 percent of total) is consistent with what we have seen in previous years,” according to the CDC.
No changes have been made to MMR vaccine recommendations in the U.S. Measles vaccines have been available in the U.S. since 1963, and two doses have been recommended for children since 1989, according to CCHD.
CCHD recommending early measles vaccinations for infants traveling to Hill County
Individuals without prior measles infection or vaccination have a 90 percent likelihood of contracting the disease if exposed, according to CCHD.
If you are unsure of your vaccination status, here are a few places you can review:
- call your old high school, college, or university and ask if they have vaccination records.
- contact your doctor’s office, urgent care, or pediatrician. Even if you have not been there in years, they may still have your records.
- reach out to the health department where you grew up.
- check your home state immunization registries.
Measles is a highly infectious airborne disease that typically begins with a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, white spots in the mouth, and a red rash that appears about 14 days after exposure. The rash usually starts on the face and spreads downward to the rest of the body.
First measles cases confirmed in Montana
“It is particularly dangerous for infants for whom vaccination is generally not recommended until 12 months of age. Maintaining a high level of vaccination in the community helps protect infants who are too young to be vaccinated, as well as individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons,” according to CCHD.
Measles continues to be prevalent in many regions worldwide, resulting in an estimated 300 deaths every day.
This month, the CDC reported the highest number of measles cases in the US. since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.
CCHD recommending measles vaccines while local agencies preparing for potential cases
As of July 15, there were 1,309 reported measles cases in 40 states. Montana has had a total of 26 cases of measles reported in four other counties in addition to Cascade County.
If you are in need of the MMR vaccine, please call your primary care physician as soon as possible. CCHD does have MMR vaccine available. Call 406-454-6950 to make an appointment.
For more information about measles and the measles vaccine is here and here.
If you develop symptoms, you should continue to stay home except for testing or urgent/emergency treatment. Please call your healthcare provider or urgent care to arrange for testing. It is “extremely important” that you do not enter a clinic building without calling ahead to the clinic so that precautions can be taken to avoid exposing others.
CCHD has a measles phone line at 406-791-9242. Call this number for:
- healthcare provider reports of measles cases or suspected cases
- immunization questions, record checks, or appointments
- testing information
- questions about exposure or quarantine
- any other measles questions or concerns
This phone line is operated during business hours – if you call outside normal business hours and leave a message, CCHD will contact you the following business day.
