Measles case reported in Mecklenburg County, first in NC since 2018

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — The NC Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday that a confirmed case of measles was detected in a child in Mecklenburg County.

This is the first measles case reported in North Carolina since 2018.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the air from an infected person’s coughs or sneezes. It can cause serious complications including pneumonia, especially in children younger than 5 years old.

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MECKLENBURG COUNTY

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“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. “This case further demonstrates the critical need for all families to ensure their kids are up to date with measles and other childhood immunizations.”

Officials say the child likely contracted the measles while traveling out of the country. The parents kept the child at home after returning to NC except for a medical visit.

To protect patient privacy no further information about the patient will be shared.

The NCDHHS is working closely with the Mecklenburg County Health Department in order to detect and respond to other possible measles cases or exposures.

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