Maine reports first case of measles since 2019

Maine is alerting the public to a child who tested positive for measles and is thought to be contagious.

The state Department of Health and Human Services identified four locations where the child may have exposed others between April 29 and May 3.

One of the locations is an indoor play center at the Auburn Mall. Families who were at Family Time Dine and Play on April 29 between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. are asked to watch out for signs of measles. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes.

The other three locations identified were medical facilities and a grocery store.

Health officials said the child received a dose of measles vaccine before testing positive.

“It is not possible to get measles from the vaccine,” said a statement from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

This would be Maine’s first positive measles case since 2019.

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THE Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention recommends that children receive two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first dose should be given between 12 and 15 months. The vaccination schedule provides that the second dose must be administered when the child is between 4 and 6 years old.

“The MMR vaccine is very safe and effective,” says the CDC. “Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.”

The CDC notes that up to 4 million people contracted measles each year before the country implemented a vaccination program in 1963. Since then, the vaccine has resulted in a more than 99% reduction in measles cases, depending on the agency.

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