Measles Outbreaks Strain Local Health Departments
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Tracking and containing measles outbreaks falls primarily to state and local public-health officials
Measles first appeared in Clark County, Wash., on New Year’s Eve, when a child who had traveled from Ukraine arrived at an urgent-care clinic.
By January 15, the outbreak had taken over the local health department, with two additional confirmed cases and 11 more under investigation. By mid-March, the number of confirmed cases jumped to 71.
Officials interview exposed people and determine if they have been vaccinated. Sometimes, local health departments will provide a vaccine. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is still effective 72 hours after measles exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
New York state and city public-health officials are working with local community leaders and pediatricians to discuss measles vaccination.
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