The new case, discovered in Rutherford County, comes as a measles outbreak in Upstate South Carolina surged to over 300 cases.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina health officials confirmed another case of the measles, bringing the state’s total up to five since December.
“With the risk of measles exposure increasing, vaccination remains our strongest and most effective defense,” Dr. Zack Moore, NCDHHS State Epidemiologist, said. “Measles is highly contagious, but it is also preventable. We urge anyone who is not fully vaccinated to take action now to protect themselves, their families, and our community.”
The new case, which was discovered in Rutherford County, comes as a measles outbreak in Upstate South Carolina surged to over 300 cases. Health officials in that state confirmed 99 new cases last Friday. Most cases are centered in Spartanburg County, with 200 people in quarantine and nine in isolation.
South Carolina officials say most of those cases are unvaccinated children between the ages of 5 and 17. The age breakdown for those 310 cases is:
under age 5 years: 69ages 5-17 years: 206over 18 years: 29minors infected but age undisclosed: 6
South Carolina’s Department of Public Health sent a statewide Health Alert on Jan. 7 advising health care providers and facilities of the importance of heightened awareness of measles and recommending mask use and rapid isolation of suspect measles cases to protect people in health care settings from exposure.
Measles symptoms usually begin 7-14 days aftere exposure, but can appear up to 21 days. Symptoms include:
High fever (may spike to more than 104 degrees) Cough Runny nose Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis) Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) two to three days after symptoms begin A rash that is red, raised, blotchy; usually starts on face, spreads to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin Measles can also cause complications including diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and suppression of the immune system.
WLTX contributed to this report.