A child from Salt Lake County, Utah, is recovering from the measles after contracting the virus while traveling internationally last week. The sickened child marks the first confirmed case of the measles in the county since 2011, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
The Salt Lake County Health Department made the case public on Tuesday and encouraged residents to make sure their measles vaccinations are up to date.
Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox
"Being fully vaccinated against measles does more than just protect the person who receives the vaccination," said Dagmar Vitek, MD, the department's medical director, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. "It also protects their family and friends, including children who may be too young to be vaccinated and helps to limit the spread of disease in the community."
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease and can easily spread to those without immunity. The illness is characterized by fever, runny nose, cough and a rash that spreads all over the body. The condition can be fatal. The high transmissibility of the measles requires a vaccination rate between 96 to 99 percent to establish herd immunity.
More articles on infection control:
Potential new treatment for MRSA detected in deep-water marine sponge
New antibiotic combinations prove effective against E. coli
Study: Quadrivalent influenza vaccine linked to clinical benefits, lower costs