(Update) Fairfield County Child Diagnosed With Measles In CT's First Case In 4 Years

By Josh Lanier From Daily Voice

Connecticut has its first measles case in more than four years, health officials announced. The Department of Public Health confirmed the illness in a Fairfield County child who was not vaccinated.

• Update: Officials ID School Where 10-Year-Old Student Attended, State Conducting Contact Tracing

The child is under 10. Officials said the child had recently traveled overseas. Symptoms began a few days after the trip. The child showed a cough, runny nose, congestion, fever, and then a rash that started on the head and spread across the body.

Measles spreads fast. It moves through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Health leaders warn it can be serious for young children.

“The single best way to protect your children and yourself from measles is to be vaccinated,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “One dose of measles vaccine is about 93 percent effective, while two doses are about 97 percent effective. We must ensure we continue to protect those who matter most – children and othervulnerable people – from vaccine-preventable illnesses through on-time vaccination.”

Symptoms usually begin 7 to 14 days after someone is exposed to the virus, according to DPH. People often start with fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a sore throat. A red or reddish brown rash follows a few days later. It starts at the hairline and spreads down the body.

More than 1,800 measles cases have been reported nationwide this year. That is the highest since the virus was declared eliminated in 2000.

Health officials urge parents to speak to their doctors about vaccinations.