Latest news with #JoshuaClayton
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
DOH reports first measles case in South Dakota
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) has reported the state's first case of measles in 2025. According to a release sent Monday afternoon, a man in Meade County developed the infection after traveling internationally. The man visited several public locations and those who were in the following locations are asked to self-monitor or symptoms for 21 days. AG: Marshall's belongings found in Fall River County The locations: Rapid City Medical Center Urgent Care waiting room (2820 Mt Rushmore Road, Rapid City, SD May 28, 2025, from 7:15 am to 10 am MT Monument Health Sturgis Urgent Care waiting room (2140 Junction Ave, Sturgis, SD) May 29, 2025, from 9:45 am to 3 pm MT The DOH says symptoms appear in two stages. The first may include a runny nose, cough and a slight fever, while the eyes may become reddened and sensitive to light and the fever consistently rises each day. The second stage begins on the third to seventh day of symptoms and consists of atemperature of 103-105°F, and a red blotchy rash lasting for four to seven days. The DOH says the rash usually begins on the face and spreads down to the torso and out to the legs and arms. The DOH notes that measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air. 'Individuals who lack immunity from vaccination or past infection are at high risk of measles infection if they have contact with an infected person,' said state epidemiologist Joshua Clayton. Clayton spoke to KELOLAND News about the risks of measles last week, telling us that it was a question of when, not if, the disease would appear in South Dakota amid a wider nationwide surge in cases. The DOH states that the MMR vaccine offers the best protection against infection. 'Measles vaccine (MMR) is typically given at 12-15 months of age. The second dose of MMR is given at 4-6 years of age. The vaccine is highly effective at preventing measles infection, and two MMR doses usually produce lifelong immunity. If you are planning to travel internationally with children, MMR vaccines can be given to children starting at six months of age,' reads the release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
3 days ago
- Health
1st measles case of the year in South Dakota as CDC updates travel guidance
South Dakota has reported its first case of measles this year. The state is now the 33rd in the country to confirm a measles case, with at least 1,088 cases reported nationally so far this year. An adult who recently traveled outside the country tested positive for measles in Meade County, South Dakota, according to the South Dakota Department of Health. It comes as federal officials are urging all Americans to get vaccinated against measles before traveling abroad, according to guidance updated last week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Previously, the guidance stated that those traveling to countries with an ongoing outbreak should be vaccinated before leaving. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is part of the routine immunization schedule and has been shown to be up to 97% effective after two doses, the CDC says. Adults without immunity through vaccination or infection should also get vaccinated, the agency notes. At least 62 people in the U.S. were infected with measles while traveling on an airplane this year, a CDC spokesperson told ABC News in part of a statement. "There has been only one situation during this period in which measles appeared to have been transmitted during air travel, " the spokesperson added. In South Dakota, the person infected with measles visited two medical centers where others may have been exposed to the virus. The Department of Health says anyone who was at the Rapid City Medical Center Urgent Care waiting room on May 28 between 7:15 a.m. and 10 a.m., or at Monument Health Sturgis Urgent Care waiting room on May 29 between 9:45 a.m. and 3 p.m., should watch for signs of illness. Health officials explain that the early signs of measles appear in two stages. In the first stage, symptoms include a runny nose, cough and slight fever. The eyes may become red and sensitive to light while the fever rises each day. The second stage begins between three and seven days after symptoms start, with temperatures reaching 103 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit and a red blotchy rash that lasts between four to seven days. The rash typically starts on the face before spreading to the shoulders, arms and legs. "Measles is a highly contagious viral disease and spreads through the air from an infected person," Dr. Joshua Clayton, state epidemiologist, told ABC News. "Individuals who lack immunity from vaccination or past infection are at high risk of measles infection if they have contact with an infected person." According to state health officials, the measles vaccine offers the best protection against infection. People are considered immune to measles if they were born before 1957, received one dose of the measles vaccine (MMR) as an adult, received two doses of the measles vaccine (MMR) as a child or high-risk adult, have measles antibodies shown by a lab test, or had a previous measles infection confirmed by a lab test. The Department of Health notes that the MMR vaccine is typically given at 12 to 15 months of age, with a second dose at four to six years. For international travel with children, MMR vaccines can be given starting at 6 months of age. Learn more about measles on the Department of Health website
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
1st measles case of the year in South Dakota as CDC updates travel guidance
South Dakota has reported its first case of measles this year. The state is now the 33rd in the country to confirm a measles case, with at least 1,088 cases reported nationally so far this year. An adult who recently traveled outside the country tested positive for measles in Meade County, South Dakota, according to the South Dakota Department of Health. It comes as federal officials are urging all Americans to get vaccinated against measles before traveling abroad, according to guidance updated last week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Previously, the guidance stated that those traveling to countries with an ongoing outbreak should be vaccinated before leaving. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is part of the routine immunization schedule and has been shown to be up to 97% effective after two doses, the CDC says. Adults without immunity through vaccination or infection should also get vaccinated, the agency notes. At least 62 people in the U.S. were infected with measles while traveling on an airplane this year, a CDC spokesperson told ABC News in part of a statement. "There has been only one situation during this period in which measles appeared to have been transmitted during air travel, " the spokesperson added. In South Dakota, the person infected with measles visited two medical centers where others may have been exposed to the virus. The Department of Health says anyone who was at the Rapid City Medical Center Urgent Care waiting room on May 28 between 7:15 a.m. and 10 a.m., or at Monument Health Sturgis Urgent Care waiting room on May 29 between 9:45 a.m. and 3 p.m., should watch for signs of illness. MORE: Most US counties saw decline in childhood MMR vaccination rates: Report Health officials explain that the early signs of measles appear in two stages. In the first stage, symptoms include a runny nose, cough and slight fever. The eyes may become red and sensitive to light while the fever rises each day. The second stage begins between three and seven days after symptoms start, with temperatures reaching 103 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit and a red blotchy rash that lasts between four to seven days. The rash typically starts on the face before spreading to the shoulders, arms and legs. "Measles is a highly contagious viral disease and spreads through the air from an infected person," Dr. Joshua Clayton, state epidemiologist, told ABC News. "Individuals who lack immunity from vaccination or past infection are at high risk of measles infection if they have contact with an infected person." MORE: Measles cases seem to be slowing down in the US. What's behind it? According to state health officials, the measles vaccine offers the best protection against infection. People are considered immune to measles if they were born before 1957, received one dose of the measles vaccine (MMR) as an adult, received two doses of the measles vaccine (MMR) as a child or high-risk adult, have measles antibodies shown by a lab test, or had a previous measles infection confirmed by a lab test. The Department of Health notes that the MMR vaccine is typically given at 12 to 15 months of age, with a second dose at four to six years. For international travel with children, MMR vaccines can be given starting at 6 months of age. Learn more about measles on the Department of Health website, where information includes fact sheets, frequently asked questions, and a webinar for healthcare providers.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oglala Sioux Tribe sends measles alert after case in border county
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Officials on the Pine Ridge Reservation have sent an alert for Oglala Sioux Tribe members about Nebraska's first confirmed case of measles. On Tuesday, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services confirmed a measles case in Sheridan County, which is the Nebraska county directly south of Pine Ridge in South Dakota. National Parks head into prime season in South Dakota The Nebraska alert said, 'The patient is an appropriately vaccinated child with no out-of-state travel history.' Individuals present at the following public locations may have been exposed to measles and should visit and fill out the risk assessment survey. Family Dollar in Rushville, Nebraska, from 9 a.m. to noon on May 17 Gordon Clinic in Gordon, Nebraska, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 21 The OST alert said 'your child can catch the Measles easily and its spreads quick. Contact your local IHS to find out if your child are caught up on the vaccinations.' In South Dakota, State Epidemiologist Joshua Clayton told KELOLAND News earlier this month that South Dakota's MMR vaccination rate is trailing behind the national average. 'We have decreased to the point where we had been almost very close to the national average and now, we're starting to dip a little bit below that national average,' Clayton said. The last measles outbreak in South Dakota was in 2015 with about eight to 10 cases. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
South Dakota urges vigilance as measles cases surge nationwide
May 23—SIOUX FALLS — Measles, once declared eliminated in the United States, is making an unexpected comeback — infecting more than 1,000 people nationwide this year alone. That's triple the number reported just a year ago. The highly contagious virus is spreading rapidly, especially among unvaccinated children, prompting health officials across the country to issue urgent warnings. "Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to humans," explained Dr. Peter Paul Lim, infectious disease specialist with Avera Medical Group. "If you're unvaccinated and exposed, there's a 90% chance you'll catch it — that's 9 out of 10 people." While South Dakota has not yet seen cases in 2025, health officials say with summer and travel season underway, vigilance is important to help prevent the virus from reaching the state. "Unfortunately, the vast majority of the cases are occurring among children, individuals less than 20 years of age, and about 96% of infected individuals are unvaccinated or their status of vaccination is unknown," said South Dakota State Epidemiologist Joshua Clayton. "That is really concerning because we have pockets of our country where we have low vaccination rates and measles has found one of those pockets." So far this year, 14 measles outbreaks have been reported across 31 states, with Texas at the center of the resurgence. Of the 1,046 confirmed cases nationwide, 961 are linked to outbreaks, according to the CDC. Texas alone accounts for 728 cases, making it the hardest-hit state. Other significant outbreaks have been reported in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas. "This kind of transmission is something not seen in recent years," said South Dakota Department of Health Vaccine Preventable Disease Epidemiologist Sara Bowman. The disease has also spread to several states surrounding South Dakota, including North Dakota 11 — its first measles cases since 2011. Minnesota has seen two cases of Measles so far this year. Iowa and Nebraska currently have zero cases. South Dakota last reported a case in July 2024, involving an adult who contracted the virus while traveling internationally. Nearly all infections — about 96% — occur in people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. Dr. Peter Paul Lim, an infectious disease specialist with Avera Medical Group, pointed to Gaines County, Texas — where this year's largest outbreak began — as an example. "There was a vaccination rate of only 82%," he said. "This is fertile ground for measles to spread quickly if it gets a toehold." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes measles spreads through airborne droplets and can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves. Symptoms typically appear 10 to 14 days after exposure and begin with high fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a distinctive rash spreading from the hairline down. "So you can have a person who is infected with measles, and if they spent, time in an area or even simply passed through that area, whether it be an airport, or a mall, or things like that, measles can stay in the environment, in the air for up to about 2 hours after that person has passed through," Clayton said. "And it is so contagious that about 9 out of 10 people who come near a person with measles and are not protected by vaccination will also become infected." According to health experts, measles elimination in the U.S. — achieved in 2000 — relied on maintaining high immunization coverage. The recent decline in vaccination rates has created conditions for localized outbreaks, particularly in areas where rates have dropped below 93%. While South Dakota has generally maintained strong immunization coverage, Clayton noted that MMR vaccination rates have declined over time and now lag slightly behind the national average. Currently, 91% of kindergartners in the state are vaccinated, compared to 93% nationwide. However, coverage varies widely: only 25 of the state's 66 counties meet the 95% threshold needed for community protection, and in some areas, rates have dropped as low as 60% — well below the level required to prevent outbreaks. "Some counties are doing fantastic, but others are a lot lower," said Dr. Ashley Sands, pediatric specialist at Sanford Health. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the best protection. After two doses, it is about 97% effective and provides long-lasting immunity. Children typically receive the first dose between 12 and 15 months of age, and a second dose between ages 4 and 6. According to Sands, the vaccine used today remains the same formulation introduced in the 1970s and offers long-lasting protection. "The vaccine you received decades ago still protects you today because the measles virus doesn't mutate like the flu or COVID," Sands said. So far in 2025, three measles-related deaths have been reported, all in unvaccinated individuals. Nationwide, about 13% of cases have required hospitalization. Though South Dakota currently has no confirmed cases this year, health officials stress that prevention and awareness are key. "We know that our tools for prevention of measles are much more effective than our treatments," said South Dakota Department of Health Medical Director Denise Hanisch. "Education is key. We need a high level of awareness when it comes to measles."
