Buncombe County Health and Human Service has confirmed three cases of measles in the County.

Measles is a viral respiratory illness with symptoms that typically appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Typical symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A rash starts on the face 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms and spreads to other parts of the body.

Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death.

Measles spreads quickly through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected. Because of its very contagious nature, it is recommended that people stay home and contact their medical provider if they suspect they have measles. A person with measles can spread the infection up to 4 days before their rash starts through 4 days after it starts.

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection against measles. “We have a vaccine that is 97% effective against measles after two doses,” said Dr. Ellis Matheson, Public Health Director for Buncombe County Health and Human Services. “I urge everyone to check their vaccination or immunity status and to get vaccinated as soon as possible if needed.

Populations: 

• Children: should get two doses of the MMR vaccine, one at 12 – 15 months of age and another at 4 – 6 years of age, before they enter kindergarten.
• Adults: should have at least one dose of a measles-containing vaccine. Two doses are recommended if they will be in high-risk settings, including students at post-high school education institutions and healthcare personnel.

People traveling in the U.S. or to other countries: 

• Children older than 1 year of age and adults traveling outside the U.S. or to an area of the U.S. where there is a measles outbreak should have 2 doses of MMR vaccine at least 28 days apart (or other proof of immunity – see below)
  • • Infants less than 1 year of age who will be traveling outside the U.S. or to an area of the U.S. where there is a measles outbreak should have 1 dose of the MMR vaccine.

To provide protection against measles while traveling, these vaccines need to be completed at least 2 weeks prior to travel.

People born before 1957 have presumptive evidence of immunity against measles. This is due to large spread of measles before the vaccine was developed. If you are concerned that you may not have immunity, please consult with your medical provider. 

• At your doctor or healthcare provider’s office.  
• At a pharmacy (check for availability). 
• Buncombe County Immunization Clinic: Call (828) 250-5096 and make an appointment or walk in  at 40 Coxe Avenue in Downtown Asheville on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 8-11:30 a.m. and on Tuesday and Thursday between 1-4:30 p.m.  
• Uninsured children can be vaccinated at low or no cost through the Vaccines for Children program, which offers free vaccines to children through 19 years of age.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles. One dose is about 93% effective.

The MMR vaccine has been used for over 50 years and has an excellent safety record. Most people have no side effects. When they do occur, they are usually mild, such as a sore arm or low fever.

A person is considered immune to measles if they have written records that show at least one of the following:

• Two (2) doses of measles-containing vaccine* (see below) if they are —
  • A school-aged child (grades K – 12), or
  • An adult who will be in a setting that poses a high risk for measles, including students at post-high school education institutions, healthcare personnel, and international travelers
• One (1) dose of measles-containing vaccine*(see below)if they are —
  • A child older than 12 months of age who has not yet entered school, or
  • An adult who will not be in a high-risk setting for measles transmission (see above)
• Lab confirmation of immunity to measles (such as a positive IgG antibody test or titer)
• Lab confirmation of measles disease (such as testing done at the time of infection)
• They were born before 1957** (see below)

Check your immunity to measles with this simple tool but always consult with your doctor if you have question.

*Measles-containing vaccine: Individuals who received a dose of MMR vaccine in 1963–1967 and are unsure which type of vaccine it was or are sure it was inactivated (killed) measles vaccine, should receive one (1) dose of MMR if low-risk or two (2) doses of MMR if they will be in a high risk setting as defined above.

**If someone was born before 1957, they are considered immune to measles because they lived through several years of measles epidemics before a vaccine was available, making it very likely they had measles. If someone was born before 1957 and is unsure if they had measles, the recommendation is for them to follow up with their healthcare provider to discuss their individual risk factors for measles (such as international travel or travel to an area in the U.S. with ongoing transmission, healthcare worker, etc.) and the possibility of a blood test to confirm their immunity or proceeding with MMR vaccination.

1. Stay home. 
2. Check your immunity to measles with this simple tool. 
3. If you don’t have a copy of your vaccine record, ask your family, call your healthcare provider, or contact your local health department to get it.
   • In Buncombe County, call the Buncombe County Immunization Clinic at (828) 250-5096. 
   • See these other tips on getting your vaccine record. 
4. If you are not immune to measles and have been exposed to someone with measles, call Buncombe County Communicable Disease staff at (828) 250-5109 for guidance.

1. Stay home and away from others.

2. Call your healthcare provider. Do not go to a medical clinic, urgent care, or emergency department without calling first to avoid exposing others. 

   • If you do not have a healthcare provider, call Buncombe County Communicable Disease staff at (828) 250-5109.

3. You will be guided on testing, care, and when it is safe to return to work or school.

• Call your healthcare provider to see if you can schedule an appointment for this.
• Some commercial labs like LabCorp, Quest, and AnyLabTestNow offer blood tests without a provider’s order. You will need to pay out of pocket for these tests, as insurance will likely only cover testing ordered by a provider. The test for measles immunity is Measles (Rubeola) antibodies, IgG, or measles titer.

Yes, but getting measles if you’ve been vaccinated is rare. If this happens, symptoms are usually milder. One dose of MMR vaccine is about 93% effective at preventing measles. Two doses are about 97% effective.

• Vitamin A cannot prevent measles. The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect against measles.
• Only take vitamin A when directed by a health care provider. Providers may give vitamin A to some people diagnosed with measles as part of their care plan.

About Vitamin A:

Most people get enough vitamin A in their diet through foods like:

• • • Vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli
    • Fish and chicken
    • Yogurt

You can take too much vitamin A, known as toxicity, since it builds up in the body over time. In pregnancy, vitamin A toxicity can cause birth defects. 

Symptoms of vitamin A toxicity

• • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache

Measles typically starts with a cough, runny nose, and red eyes. It often leads to a rash and fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit. If you think you have measles, get medical care.

Don’t delay: Symptoms can get worse over time, leading to complications and even death.

• Seek emergency medical care immediately if you have any of these signs:
  • A hard time breathing or breathing faster than normal
  • Signs of severe dehydration (dry nose and mouth, urinating less than usual)
  • Confusion, decreased alertness, or severe weakness

For young children:

• A blue color around the mouth
• Crying without making tears
• Unusually low energy
• Severe loss of appetite

In the event of an emergency, call 911. Let the 911 telephone dispatcher know that you have measles.

Alert your care team to protect others: Have someone call the emergency room or your provider. Let them know a person with measles is coming in so they can prepare and take steps to protect you and others.