LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT) – Two cases of pediatric measles have been reported in Arkansas.
Measles is a highly contagious illness that can cause severe health complications.
Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and rash.
Patients are infectious for both four days before and after they develop a rash.
The Arkansas Department of Health confirmed the first case of pediatric measles in an unvaccinated Arkansas resident of Saline County.
The individual who tested positive was exposed during out-of-state travel.
This is the first confirmed case since 2018.
The case visited the following locations while infectious:
– Baptist Health Urgent Care on Military Road in Benton, AR, on April 6 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:09 p.m.
– Saline Memorial Hospital Emergency Department on April 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
– Benton Family Clinic on April 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
– Arkansas Childrens Emergency Department on April 8 from 11:49 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.
A second case of pediatric measles has been confirmed out of Faulkner County.
The individual who tested positive was also exposed during out-of-state travel.
The case visited the following locations while infectious:
– Arkansas Pediatrics of Conway on April 7, from 9:10 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
– Arkansas Children’s Emergency Department on April 9 from 1:15 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.
No exposures have been identified at daycares or schools.
Anyone at any of these identified locations during those dates and times is urged to get an up-to-date MMR vaccine and monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure.
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