Pima County’s measles outbreak, the largest in the country, doesn’t appear to be slowing and some people who assume they are immune may not be, says the county’s top public health doctor.
“Basically, measles is the most infectious disease we know,” said Dr. Michelle McDonald, chief medical officer for Pima County.
She said the disease is spread by tiny droplets, blasted from the infected person’s lungs through coughing. The virus can survive for two hours in the air. It can be inhaled, coming in contact with a mucous membrane, or be picked up by hand from a surface and inadvertently transmitted to a new victim’s mouth, eyes or nose. “Because of that, a single case is considered an outbreak,” McDonald said.
Only 16 measles Pima County cases have been confirmed so far, but McDonald said there may be many more.
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More information
Pima County Health Department Web site: www.pimahealth.org
∫Call 243-7797 to ask questions about measles.
∫Symptoms: High fever, red eyes, cough and runny nose, followed within a few days by a rash.
∫What to do: Pima County Health Department officials say if you think you have those symptoms, call your health-care provider, urgent-care center or emergency department before going to see a doctor. More shot clinics are anticipated this weekend.
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