Federal health officials are warning about a rise in measles cases across the country, as New Orleans reports its third measles case this year, the largest nationwide outbreak of the virus in decades.

According to officials, the case is an international visitor who was not fully vaccinated and was exposed to measles outside the United States. The person has been isolated and is being treated. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one of the main reasons behind the high number of cases is a lack of vaccinations — which doctors say is the best way to stay safe and free from potentially deadly diseases.

The measles vaccine – also known as the measles, mumps, rubella or MMR vaccine – immunises you and makes it unlikely you’ll ever become infected with the virus.

What is measles?,

Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the air. The virus, which is mostly preventable through vaccination, was considered eliminated in the U.S. more than 20 years ago, but outbreaks are rising in many states after a drop in vaccinations among children.

More than 200 cases of measles have been reported across the country this year, including in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. That’s three times the number of cases reported last year. Last December, there was a measles outbreak in Philadelphia linked to a child who was not vaccinated and had traveled internationally.

Doctors call for vaccination

Federal health officials are sounding the alarm about the rising number of cases and encouraging parents to get their children the recommended vaccines before school starts.

New data from the C.D.C. show that among children born between 1994 and 2023, nearly 500 million cases of disease were prevented, along with 32 million hospitalizations and more than one million deaths — all averted through routine childhood vaccinations.

Vaccination rates for childhood diseases are falling in Louisiana, where only 86 percent of kindergarteners had a complete vaccination record last school year, compared to 90 percent two years ago.

Signs and symptoms of measles

According to experts, symptoms usually develop about 8-12 days after coming into contact with a person with measles. However, there have been times when symptoms take up to 21 days to develop after exposure. The most common symptoms of measles include:

• High fever
• Fatigue and weakness
• cough
• red and bloodshot eyes
• Runny nose
• sore throat
• white spots in your mouth
• Muscle pain
• Light sensitivity

A few days after these symptoms begin, you’ll notice a red, blotchy rash that spreads from your face to your entire body. The rash itself lasts seven to 10 days.

What does a measles rash look like?

The rash starts as flat red spots on your face and then moves downward to cover your whole body. Then, small raised white spots may appear on top of the red rash. These spots may join together as the rash moves down your body.

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