Lee County, Ala.; (WDNews) – The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is investigating a suspected case of measles involving an unvaccinated individual in Lee County. The person was reportedly not yet eligible to receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
As part of standard communicable disease procedures, ADPH is working with local healthcare providers to identify and vaccinate any additional individuals who may be at risk. Officials say the chance of a wider outbreak is low, thanks to high vaccination rates across the state, but some people will need to receive the vaccine during this investigation.
“Measles vaccine is safe and highly effective in producing lifelong immunity against this potentially deadly disease,” said Dr. Karen Landers, ADPH Chief Medical Officer and pediatrician. “Our citizens can protect themselves and others by ensuring that all eligible persons are vaccinated.”
ADPH is notifying individuals who may have been exposed and are eligible for vaccination. Due to patient privacy laws, no further information about the case is being released at this time.
For more on measles symptoms, prevention, and vaccine eligibility, visit the ADPH Immunization website
here
.
