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Third Case Of Measles Reported In Connecticut This Year

Here in Connecticut there were two cases of measles in Fairfield County back in February – an adult and an infant. Now we’re getting word that anoth...

Here in Connecticut there were two cases of measles in Fairfield County back in February – an adult and an infant. Now we’re getting word that another adult is sick. In all three cases, health officials don’t know the source and that’s reason to be cautious.

It starts with a runny nose, cough, red eyes and then a rash and fever. Measles can lead to pneumonia and other complications that can be deadly. There are 120,000 deaths worldwide each year and one would be mistaken to think the U.S. is out of that equation.

Dr. Stephhan Lauer of the University of Kansas Hospital says the pushback by parents against the shot is one reason why measles is coming back. This year 129 cases in 13 states have been reported.

“It’s completely preventable by the vaccine,” Lauer said. “We have to say vigilant about this.”

A person is contagious four days before and four days after a rash appears, and the scary part is that you can come in contact with a contagious person but not show your own symptoms anywhere between 7 and 21 days later. Health officials are not releasing further details about the Connecticut cases.

Read more at courant.com.

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