HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – A third case of measles has been confirmed in the commonwealth. According to the Virginia Department of Health, two of the three cases were linked to international travel.
Emily Rich, vaccine-preventable disease epidemiologist for VDH, said that if you are traveling, make sure to talk with your health care provider to make sure you are caught up on any recommended vaccines.
“Make sure you have been vaccinated with two doses of MMR vaccine. Two doses of MMR are 97% effective at preventing measles,” Rich said.
There are different vaccines that could be recommended depending on your destination, Rich said. You can look at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Yellow Book to see what vaccine is recommended for your destination. You can help lower your chances of getting sick by practicing good hand hygiene and covering your face when you sneeze or cough, Rich added.
“We recommend you stay home if you are sick and seeking health care prior to any travel, if you are not feeling well,” Rich said.
Rich said that if you plan to travel with an infant that is 6-11 months old, they are eligible for an early dose of MMR vaccine to protect them, which should be followed up with two doses of the vaccine on the recommended schedule.
Preventing norovirus
According to the CDC, there are around 2,500 cases of norovirus in the United States every year, and most outbreaks happen when infected people spread the virus through direct contact.
Symptoms of norovirus begin 12-48 hours after exposure. Some preventative measures include washing your hands, cleaning contaminated surfaces with a bleach-based household cleaner, and washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
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