CHEYENNE — A growing, multistate measles outbreak linked to a famous California amusement park is prompting Wyoming’s state health officer to remind families not to take vaccinations for granted.
According to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH), there has not been a case of measles reported in Wyoming since 2010.
“However, the current outbreak is spreading, including to the neighboring states of Nebraska, Colorado and Utah,” said Dr. Wendy Braund, state health officer and Public Health Division senior administrator with WDH. “If the outbreak continues to grow, it’s possible we could see measles in Wyoming.”
Measles is a highly contagious disease and spreads through the air via coughs and sneezes. Symptoms of measles generally begin within 7-14 days after exposure. The disease typically begins with a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and sore throat and is followed by a rash that spreads over the body. It can also cause severe complications like pneumonia and encephalitis.
“Measles is not new but is something we haven’t seen often over the last several decades thanks to vaccination,” Braund said. “In fact, measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000. The cases reported from time to time in this country are typically brought in when people visit from other places where measles is more common or when unvaccinated Americans get measles while traveling.”
Braund said those most at risk of being infected with measles are people who have had no doses or only one dose of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine or who have not had the measles.
“Vaccines prevent diseases such as measles and save lives,” Braund said. “Because vaccines have been effective in making so many diseases uncommon, they may be taken for granted by some people. When you don’t have experience or familiarity with a disease, you may be less likely to see the need for immunization.”
Braund noted measles vaccination is highly effective with studies showing more than 97 percent of people who receive two doses of vaccine are protected.
“Thankfully, the vast majority of Wyoming children are appropriately vaccinated before they begin school, which is required in Wyoming,” Braund said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend children get two doses of MMR vaccine with the first when they are 12-15 months old and the second when they are 4-6 years old.
WDH uses a combination of federal and state dollars to cover the costs of all required childhood vaccines for residents, as well as for some recommended vaccines. Some providers may charge a small fee for administering the vaccines. For more information about vaccines in Wyoming, please visit www.immunizewyoming.com online.
