Measles touch down in state
Citing measles as “probably the most infectious human virus on the planet,” a Boston University professor of microbiology stressed the importance of vaccinations as state health officials confirmed a case of measles and warned others who may have been exposed.
The infected individual was at a number of locations in the Boston area, including Logan International Airport on Aug. 15. Other locations of concern include Lexington High School Library on Aug. 16, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center on Aug. 20 and 21, and the Irving H. Mabee Town Pool complex on Aug. 19.
Paul Duprex, a professor of microbiology at Boston University, has been studying measles for 20 years. According to Duprex, measles is highly contagious and — to the unvaccinated — a serious threat.
“It’s probably the most infectious human virus on the planet,” Duprex said, adding that the solution to ending these exposures is to vaccinate. He said the measles vaccine is “phenomenally good,” and “it’s more dangerous to get the disease than it is to get the vaccine.”
According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, measles is very contagious and people who are not immune, and visited the specified locations on the dates listed, may be at risk of developing the disease.
Measles vaccines administered within 72 hours of exposure can prevent the disease and vaccination beyond that window will protect against future exposures.
Duprex said that a single person infected with measles is likely to infect 15 to 18 unvaccinated people during the time of the individual’s infection. In comparison, an individual with the flu will only infect one to four people, according to Duprex.
However, Duprex said that if you have been vaccinated, there is no need to worry about the possibility of infection.
Early symptoms of measles look and feel like a cold or flu with a cough, high fever, runny nose and watery eyes. A few days later a telltale red, blotchy rash will appear on the skin and spread quickly over the body. In more serious cases, measles can cause pneumonia, deafness, blindness and seizure disorders, although this is rare.