CHICO — Measles are back in Butte County as of Monday morning.
Butte County Public Health officials were optimistic last week in hopes we’ve see the last of the measles virus in the county. After local health officials declared the virus was “interrupted” last Thursday, measles has now returned with one additional case.
In a recent press release, health officials remind residents that measles should still be taken seriously.
“After a significant interruption in confirmed measles cases, we remind residents that measles is one of the most infectious illnesses in the world. Anyone who is unvaccinated is urged to get their MMR vaccination,” said Butte County Public Health Officer Dr. Andy Miller.
Butte County Public Health officials have confirmed one more adult in Butte County has contracted the virus, bringing the total cases in Butte County to 12. The latest case may have exposed others to the virus in the Enloe Medical Center Emergency Room on May 10 and May 11.
According to Public Health spokeswoman Lisa Almaguer, this case is linked to the original measles cluster announced on March 24.
“As of this morning yes, we do have a new case,” Almaguer said. “They were exposed to someone within the same cluster of people that were exposed in March. An exposure can happen when your with or near somebody who’s had prior exposure, or if you’ve been near someplace where someone had been who were exposed. Protecting the public’s health and further preventing the spread of disease is our top priority.”
Last week the health department remained hopeful that an early June deadline would solidify the end of the virus in Butte County. Now, officials are weary to discuss more deadlines or dates the county can be declared measles free following the new case Monday.
“That interruption last week was considered a huge milestone for us,” Almaguer said. “However the same information stands true: If we don’t see any other cases than the one we saw Monday, we would still be considered (measles free) if we go two incubation periods without any further cases.”
According to the California Department of Public Health, a measles outbreak is considered safe and finalized after two incubation periods have passed with no new cases arising. The incubation period for measles is 7-21 days. In a “perfect scenario,” Almaguer says they are looking at a date of June 24.
“We’re really not going to talk about when this thing is over,” Almaguer said. “Now we have a new (case) so we have to be cautious going forward and can’t speculate … At this point, it’s too early to get our hopes up to be in the clear by the end of June.
The public is urged to review the full location at tinyurl.com/ButteMeaslesExposureList01 often.
For more information about measles in Butte County, including answers to many frequently-asked questions, visit the county’s official measles web page at www.buttecounty.net/ph/measles.
