Greenwich Department Of Health Emphasizes Vaccination In Light Of Measles Case In CT

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Department of Health is emphasizing vaccinations in light of Connecticut's first reported measles case since 2021.

Last week, the Connecticut Department of Health announced that an unvaccinated child in Fairfield County tested positive for the highly-contagious viral respiratory disease. The child had a recent international travel history.

In a news release this week, the Greenwich Department of Health said "vaccination is the key to prevention against measles."

Measles is characterized by high fever, cough, watery eyes (conjunctivitis), runny nose, and a full body rash that usually lasts five to six days, which begins on the face and upper neck and proceeds down the body, the health department said, noting it can be transmitted from four days before the rash becomes visible through four days after the rash appears.

According to the CDC, nine out of 10 unvaccinated individuals who encounter an infected person will become infected with the measles virus.

As of Dec. 16, the CDC reported a total of 1,958 confirmed measles cases in the United States. A total of 24 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the U.S.

The Greenwich Department of Health advises residents to stay home and away from others for 21 full days after being exposed to measles.

"It is important to call the Greenwich Department of Health at 203-622-7836 and/or your health care provider immediately if you think that you or your child has been exposed to the measles virus. Do not go directly to the Department of Health or your doctor’s office," said Greenwich Director of Health Caroline Calderon Baisley in a news release.

"A member of the Greenwich Department of Health will contact and monitor exposed individuals and household members for signs and symptoms of members in a similar fashion as during the Covid19 pandemic," Baisley added.

According to Greenwich Director of Family Health Deborah Travers, one dose of the measles vaccine is about 93 percent effective, while two doses are about 97 percent effective.

Residents born since 1957 who do not have documented evidence of receiving a measles-containing vaccine or documented evidence of laboratory confirmed measles are considered highly susceptible to measles, the health department said. People in this age group are recommended to receive two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.

The measles vaccine is available in the Division of Family Health clinic, located in the Department of Health on the third floor of Greenwich Town Hall.

The clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For information about the MMR vaccine, call Family Health at 203-622-6495 or to speak with a public health nurse, call 203-622-7861.

For information about measles, visit the Greenwich Department of Health website.

Other resources include the CT DPH and the CDC.