Missoula doc: Measles outbreak could easily make its way to Montana

(KPAX) It could be just a matter of time before the public health emergency over measles in Washington state affects Montana. Doctors here are monitoring the outbreak and want us all to be informed and ready.

Data shows Montana hasn’t had a case of confirmed measles since 1990 — and it was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.

But with the health emergency just a car ride away in Washington, doctors anticipate someone in Montana will get sick before the outbreak is over.

We spoke with Pediatric Medical Director Lauren Wilson with Inpatient Pediatrics at Community Medical Center about how parents can confirm their children are properly vaccinated.

“If your child has received all the scheduled immunizations including the 12-to-15 month MMR vaccine and the vaccine between 4 and 6 years of age — for pre-kindergarten — those would confirm complete protection against measles,” Dr. Wilson explained.

“Only about 3 percent of the time do those vaccines fail. If you don’t have records, you can always call your doctor’s office to get them or you can get a re-vaccination if you’re not able to confirm you’ve been vaccinated,” she added.

Measles is a serious respiratory disease caused by a virus that starts with a fever and then mimmicks the common cold … until the rash emerges.

It also comes with complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis. Often someone is sick and spreading the virus before they even know they have it.

That’s why it’s important to do the right thing if you suspect you’ve been infected.

“If you think you or someone in your family has measles, you should call your doctor’s office and check in before leaving your home, try to stay away from public places,” Dr. Wilson said.

“Call your doctor, they can review your symptoms with you and then make arrangements to come in in a safe way so you don’t infect other people if you need to be seen in person,” she added.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attributes the rise in measles to un-vaccinated travelers who get exposed and bring it to the United States and to those who chose not to get vaccinated.

The important thing is that you and your family are protected against a preventable disease and consult your doctor if you’re unsure.

“Right now there are 37 confirmed cases and a number of suspected cases in Washington state and it’s likely the tip of the iceberg because these people have transmitted to others so we expect to see more cases,” Dr. Wilson said.

“It’s entirely possible that it will be brought to Montana through some of the people who were part of the Washington outbreak.”

Measles is so contagious, the virus can linger hours after an infected person has left the room.

Before the measles vaccination program started in 1963, more than three million people got measles each year in the United States — of those, more than 400 died.