Case of Deadly Disease Confirmed in Louisiana City

NEW ORLEANS, La. (KPEL NEWS) - The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has confirmed a case of measles in New Orleans. According to LDH, the patient is an international visitor who was not fully vaccinated, and was exposed to measles outside of the U.S.

The LDH says their Office of Public Health is working to identify and notify those who have come into contact with the individual infected. This is the third measles case reported in Louisiana in 2024.

WHAT IS MEASLES?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Common measles symptoms include:

• High fever (may spike to more than 104° F)
• Cough
• Runny nose (coryza)
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Rash

Read More: Measles Making a Comeback as Cases Reported in Louisiana

Read More: LDH Confirms 2 Cases of Dangerous Childhood Disease in Louisiana 

Complications

Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread rapidly among individuals who have not had the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Among the measles cases reported in the U.S. this year, nearly half have resulted in hospitalization. In extreme cases, measles can lead to death. The measles virus can be particularly dangerous for babies and young children.

The individual who tested positive is in isolation and has received treatment at a Region 1 (Greater New Orleans) hospital.

LDH RECOMMENDATIONS:

Know if you were exposed

Individuals who were at the following location on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, may have been exposed to measles and are at risk for developing symptoms within 21 days of the exposure date:

Ramada by Wyndham New Orleans, 6303 Chef Menteur Highway, New Orleans

I think I have been exposed to measles. What should I do?

Immediately call your healthcare provider and let them know that you have been exposed to someone who has measles. Your healthcare provider can determine if you are protected against measles based on your vaccination record, age or laboratory evidence.

Monitor yourself for symptoms. Be on the lookout for fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7-21 days after exposure potentially occurred, as this is the time when symptoms may develop.

If you go see a provider in person, please make sure to notify your provider that you have been exposed to measles before you arrive so that they can make special arrangements to evaluate you, if needed, without putting other patients and medical office staff at risk.

If you are not immune to measles, MMR vaccine or a medicine called immune globulin may help reduce your risk of developing measles. Your healthcare provider can advise you and monitor you for signs and symptoms of measles.

If you are not immune and do not get MMR or immune globulin, you should stay away from settings where there are susceptible people (such as schools, hospitals or childcare) until your healthcare provider says it’s OK to return. This will help ensure that you do not spread it to others.

I think I have measles. What should I do?

If symptoms develop, stay at home, and avoid school, work and any large gatherings. Immediately call your healthcare provider and let them know about your symptoms so that they can tell you what to do next. Your healthcare provider can make special arrangements to evaluate you, if needed, without putting other patients and medical office staff at risk. The Louisiana Department of Health can assist health care providers in appropriately diagnosing and managing your care.

Could I still get measles if I am fully vaccinated?

Very few people — about 3 out of 100 — who get two doses of measles vaccine will still get measles if exposed to the virus. Experts aren’t sure why. It could be that their immune systems didn’t respond as well as they should have to the vaccine. But the good news is, fully vaccinated people who get measles seem more likely to have a milder illness. And fully vaccinated people seem also less likely to spread the disease to other people, including people who can’t get vaccinated because they are too young or have weakened immune systems.

For more information

• About measles: Measles (Rubeola) | CDC
• Measles FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
• For healthcare providers: For Healthcare Professionals - Diagnosing and Treating Measles | CDC