Local Health Officials Address Measles Concerns

A disease that has been eradicated for 15 years now is making a comeback across the U.S.

According to Public Health Nurse Jamie Heinzeman, there are over 100 cases of measles as of now. It is highly contagious and can remain on a surface for up to two hours after a person has left the room. Symptoms include a rash that starts at the head and works its way down to the toes, tiredness, fever, and lack of appetite. Heinzeman said though there are over 14 states who have reported the disease, Ohio has no cause for concern just yet.

“I would say not right now because there are no linked cases to the amusement park in Ohio right now but all Ohio residents should take the actions that they need to be vaccinated and taken care of.”

Heinzeman says the vaccine is 95% effective against the measles, and because the virus is so highly contagious, it cannot be prevented by hand washing and cough covering alone. Despite the recent concerns about vaccinations, Heinzeman says each should be addressed individually.

“I would address each concern individually with each patient. Everybody has their concerns for what the vaccines are and side effects for them and as nurses and physicians we’re trained on how to answer those questions and each patient is unique and you have to treat them as an individual and address those issues individually.”

If you have questions about the vaccine or would like to receive it, you are encouraged to contact your doctor or the Zanesville Muskingum County Health Department. To learn more about the measles, you can visit the CDC’s website: www.cdc.gov