Mecklenburg child has first case of measles confirmed in North Carolina since 2018

A child in Mecklenburg County was diagnosed with measles , the first confirmed case in North Carolina since 2018, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday afternoon.

Health officials said the child was likely exposed to the disease while traveling out of the country. The parents quarantined the child after returning to the state except for one doctor’s visit, where precautions were taken, officials added.

No additional information will be provided in order to protect the child’s privacy, according to the state.

The Mecklenburg County Public Health Department and the state’s health department will work together to monitor other possible cases or exposures.

What are measles?

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease . Health officials said a person can get measles by being in a room where an infected person has been, even up to two hours after that person has left.

Measles can also cause health complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis, especially in children younger than 5 years old. Some symptoms include fever, coughing, sneezing and pink eye.

To stop the spread of the disease, health officials said people should stay at home and call ahead before getting medical attention.

To protect against the disease, health officials said it also is important to be vaccinated.

“Measles infections are preventable. Most Mecklenburg County residents are vaccinated against measles and are not at high risk,” said Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington in a news release. “This case further demonstrates the critical need for all families to ensure their kids are up to date with measles and other childhood immunizations.”

Measles cases have increased in the U.S. , according to health officials, and that increase is due to a global rise in cases .

But health officials said that 94% of North Carolina kindergartners were up to date with their measles vaccines in the ’22-’23 school year, according to data they cited from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.