State Health Officer Urges Health Care Providers to “Think Measles”

SACRAMENTO — California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith is encouraging health care providers and others to consider measles in persons with rash and fever.

“Measles continues to circulate in much of the world outside of North and South America, but with Californians returning from trips abroad and tourists from other countries visiting California, we are reminding health care providers to keep measles in mind when they see patients with symptoms of the disease,” Dr. Smith said. “Although the measles outbreak associated with Disneyland was over in April, it is important at the start of the new academic year to consider measles in patients who present signs of fever and rash, especially if they have had international travel in the prior three weeks.”

CDPH urges health care providers to consider measles in patients of any age who have a fever and a rash. Measles begins with a fever that lasts for a couple of days accompanied by cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. The rash may appear three to seven days after symptoms begin. The rash typically appears first on the face, along the hairline, and behind the ears and then affects the rest of the body.

If measles is a possibility, CDPH urges health care providers to contact their local health departments immediately for assistance and to see whether you and your family are fully protected against measles and other diseases that are common in other countries. Travelers can find helpful information about the vaccinations needed on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.