(Spencer)– Public health officials say they don’t know yet if they managed to head off a potential measles outbreak in northwest Iowa.
That’s after a case of the disease was confirmed in a Clay county child last week. It resulted in the Iowa Department of Public Health declaring an emergency public health threat last Thursday.
Officials say it was the first time since 2004 a case of measles had been reported in Iowa.
Officials say no new cases have been reported. But they say that could still change, as it can take up to 21 days before someone who’s been exposed starts exhibiting symptoms of measles. They include a runny nose, fever, cough, red or pink eyes and/or a rash. Anyone showing such symptoms should stay home and call a physician.
Officials still aren’t sure how or where the child contracted measles. They also aren’t sure how many people may have been exposed…but they say it could be significant. The child came down with the disease over the Easter holiday. The child attended church services, particapated in an Easter egg hunt, visited a Spencer nursing home, visited a Spencer fast food restaurant and a Spencer grocery store.
Clay county public health officials say they administered 186 measles vaccinations through last Friday with an additional 86 on Saturday during special immunization clinics.
