Contagious Virus confirmed in Tulare County

TULARE COUNTY, Calif (FOX26) — Tulare County Public Health Confirms a Case of Measles from an International Traveler

The patient is not a resident of Tulare County but received medical care in Tulare County.

Public Health officials in Tulare County have confirmed an adult case of measles.

This is the first confirmed case of measles in the county for 2024.

The last time measles was confirmed in Tulare County was in 2016 in an 18-month-old child.

Public Health officials say they are actively working to identify and trace potential exposures, determine if those exposed have been vaccinated for the disease, and evaluate their potential for developing and spreading measles.

Anyone who has not been infected with measles in the past and has not been vaccinated for measles is at risk of contracting the disease.

Measles spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes.

The virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for many hours, even after the infected person has left.

The infected person can spread the disease up to four days before a measles rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears.

If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected.

Common symptoms of measles include:

High fever (higher than 101 F)

Cough

Runny nose

Red and watery eyes

Tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth 2-3 days after symptoms begin.

Rash 3-5 days after other signs of illness. The “measles rash” typically starts at the face and then spreads down

to the rest of the body.

Complications from measles are more common in children younger than 5 and adults 20 years and older.

These can include diarrhea, ear infections, and pneumonia. Death can occur from severe complications, and the risk is higher among younger children and adults.

There is no treatment for measles.

Anyone who believes they have been exposed to measles or experiencing symptoms is urged by the health department to call a healthcare provider immediately.

The health department asks that if you suspect you are infected you do not enter a healthcare facility until you call and inform them of your measles exposure and symptoms.