Public Health – Idaho North Central District announced today that it has received confirmation of measles in a resident of Latah County, the first confirmed case in Idaho since 2001.
The individual came in to Gritman Medical Center Friday according to a press release, where staff immediately recognized the potential symptoms of measles. The public health department was notified immediately.
Standard protective measures were put into effect, including isolating the individual to a negative pressure containment room to protect others from risk of infection.
The public health department in partnership with Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has primary authority on managing response to the situation with administration and leadership from Gritman Medical Center in close coordination.
Gritman requests that individuals who have not been vaccinated for measles or have never had the disease and were present between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. May 31 for laboratory or diagnostic imaging services should contact Public Health – Idaho North District.
If you or someone you know may have measles, they should self-quarantine and call their doctor or clinic for advice, according to Gritman.
Ellamae Burnell can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @EllamaeBurnell