QUEEN CITY NEWS: Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. On Monday, the NC Department of Health and Human Services said that a child in Mecklenburg County had been proven to have measles.
This is the first case of measles in North Carolina since 2018.
People who are sick with measles can spread it to others through the air when they cough or sneeze. It can lead to major problems, like pneumonia, especially in kids younger than 5 years old.
“Measles infections can be avoided.” “Most people in Mecklenburg County have been vaccinated against measles and are not at a high risk,” Dr. Raynard Washington, director of public health for Mecklenburg County, said.
“This case shows once again how important it is for all families to make sure their children have all of their immunizations, including those for measles.”
Officials say it’s likely that the child got the measles while going outside of the country. After moving back to North Carolina, the parents kept the child at home, except for a trip to the doctor.
We will not share any more details about the patient in order to protect their privacy.
The NCDHHS and the Mecklenburg County Health Department are working together to find and deal with any other possible measles cases or contacts.