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http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=16096

Measles Outbreak Could Reach County

By Joseph Malan
For The News-Dispatch

LA PORTE - Even though La Porte County has not been affected by a recent national measles outbreak, the disease could enter the area at any time.

That's why Joann Hardacker, nursing supervisor for the La Porte County Health Department, suggests all La Porte County residents get immunized in case the disease does make its way into the county.

"The only way to prevent getting measles is through vaccine," Hardacker said.

Hardacker suggests anyone who is traveling overseas get immunized, especially if they are traveling to a high-risk area. She also suggests children younger than 12 months receive an immunization as soon as possible.

"If they're not immunized, it's pretty easy for them to get the disease from an infected person," Hardacker said.

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that causes a severe body-wide rash, high fever, coughing and runny nose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 64 cases of measles between Jan. 1 and April 25. That number has exploded to 127 cases in 15 different states, including Illinois and Michigan, the largest epidemic of the disease in more than 10 years.

Because the majority of the country is immunized, it is extremely rare for a case to originate in the United States. However, many countries in Europe do not have health systems that are as comprehensive, which means travelers are at a higher risk for measles and many more diseases.

Tracy Hayter, co-founder of First Travel in La Porte, said everyone traveling overseas should make sure they are properly immunized, and the agency provides its clients the necessary information to keep them prepared.

"We always follow what the state department says," Hayter said. "We look up specific information for each country listed, which tells the [immunization] requirements."

Although she hasn't heard any of her clients talking about measles, Hayter says the company does its best to keep all her overseas travelers safe.

"Any alerts we get are always passed on to clients," Hayter said. "We try to warn them the best we can."

Of the 64 individual cases reported between January and the end of April, only one person had been vaccinated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 of the remaining 63 patients were children too young to get immunized.

Hardacker said it is especially important to immunize children as early as possible for best prevention. Children should receive one dose of the vaccine when they are 1 year old, and another from 4 to 6 years old, before they enter school, she said.

Hardacker made it clear that any local residents with questions could contact the La Porte County Health Department before traveling overseas.

"Anyone who is doing international travel can call for advice, and we will provide that to them," Hardacker said.



Joseph Malan is a reporter for the La Porte Herald-Argus.